Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA medical records and requests the Veteran to provide them. The claims for service connection will be remanded until these records are obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, residuals of pneumonia, and lichen planus of the bilateral wrists and ankles due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, should be remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The case will need further development with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 27, 2014 for service connection of major depressive disorder and headaches have been remanded. The claim for a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder dislocation and major depressive disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining employment prior to March 20, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in March 2012, and the Board finds no new and material evidence to reopen this claim. The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and anxiety).,Service connection has been established for lumbosacral spondylosis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy with effective dates of April 25, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is remanded. The Board notes that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the pending claims and must be addressed concurrently.,Initial ratings are being remanded for lumbosacral spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's major depression, opioid use disorder, and alcohol use disorder are rated at 50 percent. The disability ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy are restored to their previous levels.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression as there is no current diagnosis of any such condition under DSM-5.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and a mental health disorder (depression) is denied. Ratings are granted for right shoulder strain with osteoarthrosis and right ankle arthrosis, but ratings are denied for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence on record regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly his left knee disability. The issues of service connection for headaches, high blood pressure, a sleep disability, tinnitus, depression, and left knee disability are being referred back to the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg condition and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD). The decision found no current disability related to the Veteran's left leg, but remanded the PTSD claim due to unclear character of discharge from his second period of service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of depression due to new and material evidence. However, it denied the claim as there is no medical evidence linking the current depression to his military service.

The Veteran's paranoid delusional disorder and depressive disorder are found to have resulted from military service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current symptoms include depression, anxiety, sleep loss, mild memory loss, loss of motivation, suicidal ideation, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent for depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and diagnoses, including PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again with a focus on verifying combat experience in Beirut and addressing the validity of the reported sexual assault. The claim for sleep apnea is also being remanded as there was no valid Notice of Disagreement filed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim for eye disability (blurred vision) was also denied.,Service connection for sinus disability, pulmonary disability due to asbestos exposure, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), major depressive disorder, and PTSD were all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.