Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, acute lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, and bilateral upper and lower back teeth due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service stressors and continuity of symptomology will be considered.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to the dates assigned.,The Veteran's hypertension and stroke residuals claims are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, and need for etiology opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The right knee disability is granted with a separate 10% evaluation for instability, but the request for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that the depression was caused or aggravated by any in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD based on a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Veteran needs to provide VA with his complete VA psychiatric evaluations and treatment records from November 2015 to the present, and he will be examined by an appropriate VA psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand orders, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, bilateral leg tingling, and increased rating for left knee scar have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is secondary to his service-connected back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for a liver disability, low back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and the need for further development, including corroborating her in-service stressors.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities, finding no new evidence that relates these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, chronic laryngitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or exposure to toxic contaminants.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a tailbone fracture, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The effective date of the award for lumbar myofascial syndrome is set at September 10, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including recurrent lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, psychiatric disorder to include a not otherwise specified depressive disorder, and recurrent sleep disorder have been denied. The issues related to these conditions are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are granted with a 100% rating effective April 30, 2013.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied due to lack of evidence. The claim for depression is remanded as the VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's complete service treatment records need to be obtained and reviewed, as they have not been associated with his claims file. The issues of tinnitus, chronic headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the appeal.,The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected disability is granted.