Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has found the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and imbalance and dizziness. The Board also finds that an in-service stressor occurred during service. However, the VA examiner could not provide a nexus opinion due to lack of confirmation of the events and stressors reported by the Veteran. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinions on the issues.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depression. The case is being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations provided.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria prior to January 5, 2011. Effective from that date, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2015 and prior to that time was rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2015 and prior to that time was rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability application records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has again remanded the claim for additional development due to incomplete examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder and anxiety were incurred during his active service, including his deployment from November 2004 to February 2006. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since September 6, 2010. The rating is granted and effective as of that date.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to unclear reasoning in the previous decision and issues regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, is denied as there is no verified in-service stressor related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The case is also remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as pulmonary emphysema) and major depressive disorder was reopened, and both conditions were granted. Service connection for a hip disorder related to the service-connected lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for severe/frequent mixed headaches associated with service-connected persistent depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s headaches did not meet criteria for a compensable rating as they were not characterized by prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and peripheral neuropathy in the feet were denied due to lack of timely substantive appeal.,A new claim for service connection for depression disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder. The Veteran's back pain is believed to have occurred due to a personal assault during service, which may have aggravated his existing condition. The VA needs to obtain relevant medical records from San Diego NMC for both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include determining if his knee conditions are secondary to his lumbar spine condition, obtaining an updated examination for his back disability, and obtaining VA treatment records for his psychiatric care.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to address any acquired psychiatric disorder.