Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a foot disability, depression, and migraine headaches as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, are related to his service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the overpayment of $25,032.83 was properly created due to the Veteran's incarceration for a felony conviction and denied his appeal.

The Veteran's GAD is granted as service-connected.,PTSD and MDD claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, has been granted a 70 percent rating. The issues of service connection for a back condition and secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction have also been remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connection due to the established link between his in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, calluses of the feet with macerated tissue, and residuals of right shoulder separation, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's back disability and depression are being remanded for further development as they may be related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety/depression are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent for RLE radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several issues for further development, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's representative also mentioned the need for additional development regarding non-service connected pension.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a left knee disorder, residuals of frostbite of the toes, and depression. The reasons are that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his experiences in basic training.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction and service connection for PTSD and persistent depressive disorder. The effective date was determined based on a finding that this was the date an intent to file a claim seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction was received.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities including an unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left lower extremity sciatica was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to the Board's decision.,A 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition and that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity, and the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its interrelation with the increased evaluation claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and attempting to obtain relevant non-VA medical records. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are being evaluated in relation to her active service.