Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has expanded the issue to include an acquired psychiatric disability, however diagnosed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, manic depression, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, foot disorders, knee disorders, ankle disorder, and headache disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is REMANDED for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, and whether they are related to military service. Additionally, the case is also REMANDED for a VA esophageal examination to determine the nature and etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the presence and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders. The claim for service connection remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, sinus condition, HTN, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of a hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches, bilateral CTS, and psychiatric disorder are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including whether it began during service or is related to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms are also to be considered.

The Veteran's request for an extension of her eligibility period for use of her Chapter 30 benefits was not filed within a year of her delimiting date, and the evidence does not show that her physical or mental disabilities prevented her from beginning or resuming a chosen program of education.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is service-connected as secondary to hypertension and CAD, with a current effective date of May 25, 2010.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum 10 percent schedular disability rating available since May 25, 2010.,Hypertension has also been assigned the maximum 10 percent schedular disability rating available since May 25, 2010.,Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is currently rated at 30 percent effective September 27, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression and sleep disorder are manifestations of his service-connected PTSD, which is already contemplated by his current 70 percent rating for PTSD. Therefore, the claims for separate disabilities of depression and a sleep disorder have been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression with insomnia and anxiety, was denied as there is no evidence of a link between the claimed condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD with depression. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, previously diagnosed as adjustment disorder, has been rated at 50 percent since June 8, 2017. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have been manifested by symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is now entitled to have his claim reviewed on its merits.