Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest pain and costochondritis was denied as it is not of service origin.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for depression with psychotic features was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment. The effective date for the grant of service connection for depression was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, left leg, right leg, left foot, right foot, left hip, and right hip disorders are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability, migraine headaches (as proximately due to or caused by service-connected tinnitus), and left ankle and depression disabilities. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development of records from VA and private providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including a need for additional VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD and other unspecified psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claims will be further investigated, including seeking corroboration of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The claim is also granted as the evidence supports a relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 20, 2015 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression effective December 31, 1984. The Veteran's original claim was received on that date.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70% rating from July 13, 2011 to July 12, 2012. The initial rating for migraine headaches was restored to 10% effective November 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, request SSA disability benefits information, provide a VCAA notice letter regarding secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and obtain addendum opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic essential tremors of the bilateral hands and a psychiatric disorder, as well as her claim for an increased rating for left hip strain with labral tear. The appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's left hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet (claimed as ankle condition) has been reopened and granted. The claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and sarcoidosis have all been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety is denied. The Board finds that the award was based on a reopened claim after final disallowance, and therefore, the earliest possible effective date is July 5, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service-connected residuals of frostbite of the hands.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder and remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for the right knee meniscus tear, status post-surgery.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress features is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disorder. The rating for the back disorder remains at 40 percent.