Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for other specified depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and unverified stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as ethmoid sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, had its onset in service. The heart condition, obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder was denied. The appeal regarding the initial rating of his service-connected depressive disorder was also denied, with the highest possible rating (50%) being assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, are at least as likely as not related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and back disorder.

Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including mood disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his TBI with headaches remains pending as the issue has been remanded.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the case is remanded to determine if any diagnosed condition was caused or aggravated by prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, and he has requested a waiver for this additional review. The issues include rating adjustments for pes planus and service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot hallux valgus. Service connection for left foot hallux valgus and a right knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added after the October 2017 SOC. The Veteran's representative will decide whether to waive initial AOJ consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of March 17, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his acquired psychiatric disorder and asthma, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression, was denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish a causal relationship between his current psychiatric symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded. The AOJ must obtain relevant treatment records, determine the Veteran's presumed exposure status under the Blue Water Navy Act, schedule VA examinations, and address the claims based on the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records, confirm the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, and request addendum opinions from a psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, and from a clinician regarding his GERD.