Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and deep vein thrombosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, residuals of a left wrist injury, and psychiatric disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his low back strain disability was denied, and he is also denied a TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 10 percent prior to June 29, 2017 and 50 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of spinal surgery and left shoulder disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, depression, recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, and degenerative arthritis remains pending. The Board finds that VA medical opinions are necessary to decide those claims.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are found to be related to his active service.,PTSD has not been diagnosed, and the evidence does not support a finding of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and found no clear and unmistakable error in the prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his active service. The case is now remanded for further development regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a request for substitution of the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder alone precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 31, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and higher initial ratings for depressive disorder, as well as his claim of entitlement to TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. Additional records are needed from VA and non-VA sources.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in October 2002. New evidence received since that decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and thus new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder from May 25, 2011 to February 1, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, marital issues, and job-related stress. The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 11, 2006. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), major depressive disorder, hallux valgus of the feet, and irritable bowel syndrome are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding treatment records and other issues. The Veteran's request for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, as well as his claim for TDIU, are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorder are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence is needed. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to be evaluated in detail.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's right elbow condition and depression are both being reviewed.