Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the Appellant's service dates and nature, including whether he had qualifying service in the National Guard. The claim will be further developed by verifying his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding whether the Veteran's spouse meets the requirements for spousal aid and attendance benefits. A VA examination is needed to determine this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and residuals of right knee patellectomy are being remanded. The previous denial of these claims remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and mood disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for alcohol use disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected diabetes or military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder with psychotic features (depression), is granted as secondary to his service-connected shoulder disability. The Veteran's substance use disorder is also granted as secondary to depression. Service connection for a bilateral foot disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's right foot planter fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of the right foot, obstructive sleep apnea, liver disability (fatty liver disease), and psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) have all been granted service connection. The Veteran also has a left foot disability that is service-connected.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and basis for denying service connection, failure to obtain potential of outstanding private treatment records from Methodist Healthcare, and failure to consider entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric condition other than PTSD. The Veteran's representative indicates that the private treatment records are no longer available, and they have requested a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and alcoholism. A new VA examination is required to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's depression may have started during service, but more information is needed to determine if it was related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities preexisted service and are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The claim for eligibility to treatment under 38 U.S.C. 1702 is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder (NOS) are rated at 50 percent, effective May 24, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms that have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left shoulder, right shoulder, and major depressive and anxiety disorders before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's baseline disability evaluation for Major Depressive Disorder was found to be improper, and the effective evaluation is established as zero percent.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness, migraines, major depressive disorder (MDD), and sleep apnea. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service exposure to chemicals and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, combined with other service-connected disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective November 6, 2012, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board determined that the severance of service connection for a depressive disorder was proper, and thus dismissed the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, but he does not have at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more. The Board has referred his TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected knee disabilities, tinnitus, and depression.