Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The evidence shows that the Veteran's in-service stressors are conceded, and his diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is reopened. The Board finds that the evidence received since the July 2007 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim and thus remands both issues.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The appeal for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder NOS and alcohol abuse is remanded due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine the severity of his urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which may affect his Parkinson's disease rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a personal assault stressor and the need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for effective dates prior to November 7, 2013 for service connection of major depressive disorder, GERD, and left wrist strain due to lack of written communication indicating intent to file a claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea, anxiety and depression, PTSD, left knee instability, right knee instability, and left knee chondromalacia patella and strain are all under review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The current disability ratings of 10 percent for each condition are maintained.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 25, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has decided that more evidence is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The issues of bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and IBS are remanded.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current depression is related to his service, and to clarify whether it pre-existed service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of left hand and left knee disabilities have been resolved as they were granted service connection in a previous decision.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a superimposed personality disorder. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tinea versicolor is remanded due to the lack of a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the issue of TDIU is remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding his employment history.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder is granted. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent. Service connections are also granted for various other conditions including right hip, knee, ankle, foot disabilities, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss.