Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's depression began during service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression secondary to other service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear nature of the Veteran's psychiatric diagnosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and urethral problems. The medical evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to a showing of an etiological relationship between the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and her service-connected removal of the uterus and both ovaries, as well as her current urethral problems.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial rating of 100 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and MDD. The Veteran was treated for mental health issues during his time in Panama and continues to receive treatment for these conditions post-service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his current psychiatric disorders, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is attributable to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for PTSD. However, there is insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors, and the weight of the evidence is against a finding that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected Meniere's syndrome and epididymis, which have resulted in significant isolation and anxiety.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowed. Service connection for major depressive disorder and cervical spine disability are granted, with hearing loss not reopened due to lack of new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service and granted his claim for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, was also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his period of honorable service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disease and lumbar spasm, as well as major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders found since the filing of the claim. The appeal is not about service connection at all.