Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except those related to his right elbow. As a result, the Board is dismissing these appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 15, 2013. The Board finds that the Veteran’s symptoms most closely approximate a 50 percent rating based on reduced reliability and productivity due to his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin muscle injury was denied in the past, but new evidence has reopened this claim.,Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran reported head injuries sustained during boxing and football while serving.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case of service connection for depression/anxiety is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety/depression is remanded due to missing treatment records and personnel records. The AOJ will request copies of these documents, conduct a VA examination if needed, and determine whether new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression and Alzheimer's/dementia, were incurred during active duty service or aggravated by reactivation into service after May 2001. The VA is required to obtain an opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of service connection for diabetes mellitus and evaluation of his depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and schizoaffective disorder, as there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to service. The Veteran reported several stressors during service which have been confirmed by another service member.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and denied service connection for a nerve disorder affecting the lower extremities. The Veteran's depression is related to his military service, while his current nerve disorder does not have its onset in service or within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; a gastrointestinal disability; and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder.,PTSD was denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no supporting evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding medical treatment reports and incomplete service records. The Veteran's claim for bipolar disorder will be reopened as new evidence may support it.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. A new VA examination is required to diagnose and determine the etiology of all current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU from December 12, 2016.

The Board has decided that more evidence is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder and whether he should be granted a TDIU. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records, private medical records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. He will also need to undergo another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of all available VA treatment records since October 2016.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim. The case will be reviewed and a new examination may be required.