Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and a depressive disorder, requires additional development as there are outstanding medical records and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a supplemental opinion regarding service connection for depressive disorder, as well as for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lateral epicondylitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, is attributable to service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of these conditions and there is medical evidence linking them to her in-service experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, rhinitis, sinusitis, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not resulted in permanent and total disability that would qualify him for specially adapted housing or home adaptation grant.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral foot tendonitis has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying stressor allegations. A psychiatric examination is also required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his major depressive disorder, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The VA medical opinion provided a clear and definitive conclusion against the appellant's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for Bipolar Disorder, finding that it was incurred in service. However, the claim of service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression is denied as there is no link between the current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. A supplemental VA medical opinion is also needed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder distinct from PTSD that is medically linked to her symptoms during active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial rating assigned for cholecystectomy residuals and the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of fractured ribs, residuals of right eye trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of service connection. The Board also found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is not service-connected.,Prior to March 14, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable. From March 14, 2014 onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the rationale provided in previous decisions and conflicting diagnoses of the Veteran's condition.