Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for psychosis or mental illness, left and right hip disability, major depressive disorder, and entitlement to TDIU is denied as he did not have qualifying wartime service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims and an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and one related to the effective date of additional compensation based on having a dependent spouse.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied, and he was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his MDD, but determined that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), and a cervical spine disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection remains denied as there is no clear evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection has not been established for left ear infection, colon cancer, stroke, or low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression. The evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD related to his in-service airplane crash landing and that it is at least as likely as not that he also has an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) that is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to verifying claimed stressors and obtaining medical records from Berlin, Germany.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to Agent Orange and stressors related to his service at Charleston Naval Base. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information for verification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging a medical opinion to differentiate PTSD symptoms from other diagnosed conditions, and addressing the Veteran's request for payment as a Veteran with two dependents.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression. Service connection was denied for shin splints.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety are related to service, including his allegations of handling personal effects of deceased soldiers and moving caskets. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and hepatitis C with chronic fatigue are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The examination should assess whether the Veteran meets the DSM-V criteria for these conditions and determine their relationship to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including searching for missing service treatment records and obtaining relevant medical records from non-federal agencies. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded two issues: the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions, need for additional records, and need for clarification regarding his PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, previously claimed as a nerve condition. The issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (excluding PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation by erectile dysfunction. The issue of service connection for skin disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records related to the Veteran's depression.