Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches have been granted. The claim for hypertension has not been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date prior to December 19, 2009. The earlier claim for service connection for depression was considered and found to meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA opinion to determine when each of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities first manifested, including depression, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia NOS. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and left varicocele do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and headache disorder have not been shown to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected depressive disorder NOS is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an updated medical examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for depressive disorder has been granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder and hernia are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and spondylolisthesis with a rating of 40 percent effective September 25, 2003. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also service-connected.

The Veteran's cerebral aneurysm with vascular dementia and major depressive disorder are found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease with ischemic cardiomyopathy. His PTSD disability is granted a higher evaluation, but the claim for increased evaluation of PTSD has been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA, as well as any relevant private treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is found to be caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected disabilities (including obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and tension headaches).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a full compliance with prior remand instructions regarding his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the noncombat stressors did not meet the criteria for verification and thus could not establish a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disability and the Veteran's service, including his deployment in Vietnam. The claim is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and service connection for depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia is also denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining his personnel records. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for psychiatric disorders and sleep apnea, including a need to corroborate stressors and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Updated VA treatment records since April 2010 should also be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last adjudication, and an SSOC must be issued before the claim is returned to the Board.