Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and procuring private medical records. The Veteran is also to be provided with a VA examination to assess whether he has Parkinson's disease and any acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as an opinion regarding his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depression and insomnia, was not shown to be related to active duty service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current mental health conditions are not attributable to any in-service event or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation. Additionally, the Veteran meets criteria for financial assistance to purchase an automobile with necessary adaptive equipment due to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's right knee disability is not considered to have caused or aggravated his current left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression are related to his service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a major depressive disorder, is related to his service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review due to the need to determine if he meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to evaluate his major depressive disorder. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities will also be remanded.

The Veteran's appeals were denied for various issues, including cervical spine DJD, depression, PTSD, and bilateral hip disability. The claims for depression and PTSD were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was denied as no causal relationship could be established.

The Board has determined that the July 2007 rating decision denying service connection for dysthymia did not contain an outcome-determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts before the adjudicator. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and dysthymia, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder causes significant difficulties in her daily life, including in her academic and occupational pursuits and social interactions. She experiences frequent suicidal ideation and suffers from symptoms of anxiety, hypervigilance, and depression.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability due to military sexual trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and found that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal conditions. The issue of TDIU is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder is etiologically related to a motor vehicle accident in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary due to the inadequacy of an earlier medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his psychiatric disorders will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder NOS. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 6, 2009. The rating agency found that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA examination.