Depression decisions — 2018

Service connection for Parkinson's disease is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Vietnam. Service connection for PTSD and Depressive disorder NOS is remanded as the claimant has not provided sufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as new and material evidence was not received, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, depression, and other disabilities due to outstanding evidence and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability was granted. Service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected left ankle status post old healed avulsion chip fractures, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in the Gulf War and a lack of an opinion on the etiology of any psychiatric disorders. Additional records are needed, including Reserve service treatment and personnel records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a traumatic brain injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury or an acquired psychiatric disorder to include a major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent effective June 23, 2010.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for depression disorder as a component of the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disability. The claim for thyroid disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether it was aggravated by her service-connected bipolar disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for MDD, low back disability, and LLE radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is also having his TDIU claim deferred until final disposition of the rating claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including disc disease, is denied because the condition did not manifest during service and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event. The current condition is related to post-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining psychiatric medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if service connection can be established for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new examination for the Veteran's major depression with psychotic features due to worsening symptoms since his last evaluation in 2014. The issue of TDIU has also been raised and must be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her previous diagnoses and their relation to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The increased rating claims for knees and the psychiatric disorder are remanded, as well as the claim for service connection for colon cancer and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia, major depression, and psychosis due to new evidence being requested. The PTSD claim is also remanded as the Veteran's response was illogical and unresponsive.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS and anxiety disorder NOS have been granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective July 7, 2011. A 100 percent rating is granted from March 13, 2018.

The Veteran's IBS with diarrhea is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319.,PTSD with major depression, short-term memory loss, panic attacks and insomnia was previously rated at 70 percent prior to December 7, 2014. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains in appellate status as his PTSD has now been rated at 100 percent effective December 7, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the remaining issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.