Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The claim will be reconsidered with additional examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, is related to his active service. However, due to conflicting evidence regarding the existence of a pre-existing condition, further medical opinion is needed.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis in conformance with DSM-5 criteria. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and hypothyroidism are both remanded for additional examination and rating determinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, depressive disorder with anxious distress features, OSA, and lower back condition has been granted. The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in 2009. Service connection is established for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depression and alcohol abuse are found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain, and the claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for depression is granted, and a rating of 60 percent for gout is also granted throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for clarification of the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, excluding PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied an increased rating for depression as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling from May 27, 2010 and in excess of 50 percent disabling from June 13, 2013 for service-connected depressive disorder, NOS and anxiety, NOS, as well as the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additional evidentiary development is necessary due to lack of recent VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been granted effective August 17, 2016. Higher ratings are denied for the period before October 11, 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and acid reflux. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was not reopened, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS was denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for residuals of TBI, service connection for psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and an initial compensable rating and a rating greater than 30 percent from April 12, 2016, for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. Further development is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was reopened due to new evidence, and the Board found that these conditions are related to his military service. Service connection is now granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for left knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, headaches, erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety, chest pains, blurred vision, and dizziness are pending.