Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of her psychiatric, back, and hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder with anxious distress, is proximately due to her service-connected back and bilateral leg disabilities. The issues of service connection for neck disorder, headache, increased ratings for back disability, restless leg syndrome, and eczema are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a VHA expert's medical opinion.

The Veteran was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS from April 23, 2013 to December 20, 2017.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with MDD and GAD was granted, effective from April 29, 2005. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred prior to the filing of the claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the discontinuance of the 100 percent evaluation for cerebrovascular accident was proper and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation from February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including manic depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are found to be etiologically related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 8, 2013 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was denied in May 1997 due to lack of current diagnosis and non-compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service. Service connection for depression was denied due to lack of a medical nexus.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS was incurred during service and granted as service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a fracture of the left little finger, and the current disability requirement was not met.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions due to misconduct. The case is being remanded for a medical opinion regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct, and for additional VCAA notice.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression and alcohol dependence are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate a 30 percent rating throughout the initial appeal period. Service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, depression and alcohol dependence is granted.