Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to determine whether service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depression and personality disorder, is warranted. The case must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and because the Veteran's service personnel records need to be obtained. The examiner will assess whether any acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified depression, are caused by events experienced during combat in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to insufficient evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including whether any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities were caused by service.

The Veteran's current adjustment disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 20, 2016, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The initial rating for PTSD remains remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus type 2 was granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues, including service connection and rating determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for major depressive disorder and any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an effective date earlier than February 7, 2011 for the grant of service connection for his psychiatric disorder. The issues of increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and severity, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and updated VA treatment records being available.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and TDIU due to in-service stressor allegations. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any psychiatric complaints or diagnoses, but there are references to 'fear of unsubstantiated medical condition.' A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder and dementia was granted, effective from October 2011. The current disability rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. Tinnitus is also granted as service connected. The claims of hepatitis B and C are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of reopening the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. However, it was denied because there is no probative evidence showing a current diagnosis or etiological relationship between the Appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders and his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and borderline personality disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, peripheral venous insufficiency, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis (claimed as eczema) due to Gulf War environmental exposure are denied. The claim for relational problems secondary to lumbar strain myositis is also denied.,Service connection for hypertension, claimed as a cardiac condition, due to Gulf War environmental hazard is remanded.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to Gulf War environmental exposure, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are related to a direct relationship with service rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant service records, which were not previously considered. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.