Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, bilateral shin splints, a right shoulder condition, a back condition, sinus conditions, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has remanded the claim due to an inadequate VA medical opinion, and a new examination is required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that his current psychiatric conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not necessitate the care or assistance of another person on a regular basis to attend to the activities of daily living, to protect him from the hazards or dangers of his daily environment, or to substantially confine him to his dwelling or immediate premises. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression not otherwise specified and gastrointestinal disability (including IBS) to include as secondary to psychiatric disability is granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the current psychiatric disability had its onset in service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain his complete service treatment records and determine the appropriate rating for his hearing loss, as well as service connection for sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a mental health condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right wrist, cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are inadequate. Additionally, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the service connection of depression. The claims for service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating since August 5, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors during Operation Desert Shield.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective from May 8, 2013. The decision grants an initial rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board is required to obtain the Appellant's complete Social Security Administration (SSA) records due to insufficient efforts in obtaining them as per previous remands.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The claim will be reconsidered after a VA examination is conducted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's service records show a motor vehicle accident in January 1981 resulting in TBI. The VA and private medical opinions support the finding of TBI, with associated symptoms like memory loss and headaches. Anxiety and major depressive disorder are found to be secondary to these TBI residuals.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings, but the issues of higher ratings for both conditions are being remanded. The stomach disorder issue is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of whether the appellant was insane at the time of his involuntary manslaughter, which led to his dishonorable discharge. The VA will obtain all relevant records and schedule a medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by insomnia as the Veteran's insomnia is not considered a separate condition, but rather a symptom of his already-service connected lumbar spine and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested during service and granted. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further examination.