Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to his military service.

Effective August 1, 2011, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities of depressive disorder, migraines, and tinnitus. The Board found that these conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, and tinnitus. The right knee disability is rated at 30 percent based on limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, as well as his initial rating for MDD, ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 have all been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot fungal disability has been granted. The claims for right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. Service connection for psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, dysthymia, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disabilities, sleep apnea, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his complete service personnel file and providing another VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus and depressive disorder are granted service connection as they are related to his military service. Service connection for gout, bilateral hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, and hypoglycemia is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service, and the current disability does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for tension headaches due to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month over the last several months.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is evaluated at 50 percent as it causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and opinion due to the lack of an adequate assessment regarding psychiatric disorders present during the pendency of the claim, specifically depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's GERD is rated as noncompensable, and his initial rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress prior to May 16, 2017, remains at 30 percent. A higher rating is denied after that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and conducting a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, is rated at 70 percent prior to May 22, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various psychiatric disorders and other conditions. The main reasons are that VA examiners have not provided sufficient opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including PTSD, MDD, a left knee condition, respiratory issues, and a skin condition. The cases are being returned to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient medical opinion and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The claim will be further evaluated after additional development and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his right knee instability and medial meniscus tear claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information and a further examination to clarify the diagnoses present during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a personal assault stressor and for obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and depressive disorder are being reviewed in light of new evidence.