Depression decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically addressing whether it is at least likely as not related to his Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 27, 1990 for the award of service connection for persistent depressive disorder based on new evidence received in January 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, migraine headaches, and cervical spine disabilities. Additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's conditions, including his mental health condition, bilateral ankle conditions, and bilateral hip conditions. The reduction in disability rating for cervical spine is also being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disability claimed as depression and anxiety, but has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with the medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's anxiety disorder and its relation to service. The claim will be reconsidered after these opinions are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors for PTSD and the need for a VA opinion regarding the relationship between diagnosed psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and a need for an updated medical record. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and depression, is being reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and substance abuse disorders, finding insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressor of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and all other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and that they were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder, right hand, right foot, hepatitis C, left hip disabilities, low back disability, and cervical spine disability are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service in Germany resulted in PTSD and MDD, which the Board found to be directly related to his military experiences. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased evaluation and service connection for fatigue, depression, and tension headaches have been dismissed due to his death.,No new evidence or changes in the law were presented that would allow these claims to be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and MDD have been granted, with a rating of 100% effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with depression, memory problems, and hallucinations is granted, effective from December 12, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left foot dorsum scar and left lower extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy are denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for gynecological condition, chest pain, right leg pain, left leg disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, hypermobility syndrome, arthritis, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, personality disorder, thoracic and lumbar spine, right shin splints, left shin splints, cervical spine disability, CFS, right lower extremity radiculitis, left lower extremity radiculitis, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, dyspepsia, dizziness, left hamstring spasms, and right hamstring spasms. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (somatic symptom and depressive disorders), and IBS.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder are rated at a 70 percent rating, which is granted. The Veteran also qualifies for TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for depression and radiation proctitis due to service-connected prostate cancer, as the Veteran failed to appear for a VA examination. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his depression causes him to require regular aid and attendance.