Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the service connection claims and pension/TDIU claims due to incomplete records and need for VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, TMJ, and right lower extremity radiculopathy do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression was granted, effective from May 28, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD and adenocarcinoma of the lung, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining records from SSA and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Appellant has PTSD related to his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue, an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depression to include sadness and anxiety, and a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and depression are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service-connected conditions or medications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder (MDD). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims. Additionally, it was determined that MDD is not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and TBI, as well as completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Application for TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War exposure or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depressive disorder due to his military service are supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 50% prior to October 18, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were not of the frequency, severity, and duration to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, bipolar disorder, is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for panic disorder, but his psychiatric diagnoses include depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to evaluate his service-connected hepatitis C and PTSD. The TDIU claim may also be affected by these developments.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no direct link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, and polysubstance abuse, are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any psychiatric disorders are related to service and whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.