Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine injury, thoracic spine injury, and heat stroke residuals. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral foot condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, lung and chest pain/condition, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Veteran's ratings for his right shoulder disorder and PTSD are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated during his second period of active duty service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence review.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo (dizziness) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches/migraines, depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder features (to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine), and denied service connection for insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of service connection for multiple joint pain, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder/anxiety disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Board found that while there was no direct evidence linking the injury to his active duty service, the Veteran has provided credible testimony regarding an in-service incident where a generator door fell on him during a Scud missile attack.,The claims of service connection for chronic fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded as new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, but her pain scar is not compensable.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C more than two decades after separation from service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected left shoulder and arm disabilities, and the claim for service connection secondary to these conditions is granted.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, and right hip condition is denied.,Service connection for depressive disorder is dismissed due to a grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition and other disabilities have affected his ability to work, leading him to retire early in 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected heart condition prior to January 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and PTSD due to inadequate VA examination in August 2017. The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and a need for further development related to the in-service personal assault.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service records show he had depression following an in-service accident, and post-service medical records indicate current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bursitis and arthralgia of multiple joints, CFS, mild obstructive airflow disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for purposes of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 due to his withdrawal at a hearing. Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder, rash of the shoulders and armpits, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression). The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his back disability, as well as his claim for a cervical spine disability. The reasons include needing additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as increased ratings for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease. Additional development is needed to obtain Social Security Administration records.