Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant records and providing addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder and low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim. The issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder from August 21, 2013 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and conduct an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral knee disorder, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current hip or low back conditions and his military service. His acquired psychiatric disorders were also not linked to his service. For his Achilles tendonitis claims, he did not meet the threshold requirements for increased ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, is etiologically linked to her active service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and Depression, has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion regarding the relationship between her service and these disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder, right wrist disability with scars, and right leg disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the etiology of his persistent depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of her claims, including a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between her cervical spine disorder and service-connected thoracic spine disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine issue.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of secondary service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling effective July 11, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent since May 13, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, including his now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a head injury.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service and whether it was made in error or is currently in remission. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is not related to his active service and may not be presumed due to a lack of evidence of psychosis within one year of discharge. As such, the claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is denied.