Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's previous VA examinations and his failure to attend scheduled appointments. The Veteran will be provided another examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed psychiatric conditions, including depression and PTSD. The examiner should consider whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and insufficient opinions regarding service connection claims. The Veteran's vertigo, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and psychiatric disabilities are among the issues being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of migraine headaches and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including employment details and treatment records. The Veteran will be asked to provide information about his employment history over the claim period and any intervals of unemployment or underemployment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his anterior mandibular ostectomy was denied. His depression with pain disorder and generalized anxiety disorder received an initial increased rating to 70 percent effective May 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal involves issues related to the reduction in evaluation of his cervical spine disability, a higher rating for depressive disorder, and TDIU. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety and undifferentiated somatoform disorder, effective August 31, 2010. The decision also addresses an earlier effective date claim for the increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as sleep apnea, seizure disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), left leg disability, and right ear hearing loss have been denied due to lack of evidence establishing service connection.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hip disability, right foot toe disability, peripheral neuropathy, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and his diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of a left or right leg disability associated with the tibia or fibula. The Board finds that service connection for the condition is not warranted.,The Veteran's depression is not related to his military service and is not etiologically related to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder, has been granted. The Veteran was diagnosed with labral tear with degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder during his military service and continues to experience symptoms related to this diagnosis. His other mental health conditions are also considered as part of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical scars, finding that the Veteran's in-service LEEP surgery led to current cervical scarring. The other claims of service connection for residuals of cervical dysplasia, miscarriage, and depression are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, stress, depression, sleep disorder, and nightmares is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the claims file.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.