Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions began during active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to the Veteran's current diagnosis being more accurately described as depression and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to service-connected degenerative thoracic spine disease, history of residual fracture, transverse process of L-1 vertebra and low back strain, and for an increased rating for service-connected degenerative thoracic spine disease. The remand is due to insufficient opinions in the August 2013 VA examination report regarding whether the psychiatric disability was proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is remanded due to the need for additional records and a review of his social security disability benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of depression and anxiety are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) is related to her service-connected depression, as there are conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, but has remanded the issues of increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (previously diagnosed as panic disorder without agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, recurrent and moderate) is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in the September 21, 2018 decision where it was not reviewed the Veteran's hearing transcript. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD but has been diagnosed with depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressive symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left big toe condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, insomnia) due to additional VA medical examinations being needed.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for hysterical personality disorder was denied. The petition to reopen a claim of service connection for depressive neurosis, now diagnosed as major depressive disorder, was granted.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and major depressive disorders) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and major depressive disorder (MDD) due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure in Korea. The claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence requested from JSRRC.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The case will be returned for further development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder was not related to service.,Service connection for DJD or DDD of the lumbar spine is denied due to lack of a link between the condition and active service or service-connected low back strain.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and depression, but has remanded the issue of hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim, but denied service connection due to lack of a nexus between current tinnitus and active service. The Veteran is not entitled to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or automobile/adaptive equipment benefits.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to in-service harassment from his superiors. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining an adequate opinion from a mental health specialist.