Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and mental health disability (depression and anxiety).

The appeals of service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, cluster migraine headaches, and depression have been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's right ankle disability claim is remanded as the RO failed to consider his request for rescheduling due to homelessness, resulting in a denial without proper consideration of this issue.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (polysubstance abuse disorder and depression) claim is remanded as new and material evidence was not considered, and an additional VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for a contemporaneous VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion claim is remanded for a contemporaneous VA examination and determination of whether the effective date should be earlier than April 14, 2015.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis claim is remanded to determine if the severance of the separate rating was proper.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including erectile dysfunction, headache, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral foot disability, skeletal arthritis, depression, muscle damage to left side, pelvis injury, bilateral eye disability, low back disability, TBI, right hip and knee disabilities, GERD, and bilateral kidney disability. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records from 1988 to present and scheduling a new examination for the right hip.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and alcohol use disorder, is granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression with psychotic features and PTSD, is related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that the Veteran's personality disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The in-service stressors were not verified.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder and awarded TDIU and SMC based on the statutory housebound rate. The Veteran's left nephrectomy is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety and depressive disorders are not related to his active duty service, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to events or injuries during his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and chronic anxiety due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service. The VA is requested to provide a further opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and his right hip strain with trochanteric bursitis is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria. The other issues are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The current VA examination did not consider all relevant evidence of record and provided mixed conclusions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his diagnoses and additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a neck condition, and headaches will be addressed on remand.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and insomnia, to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues include PTSD, depression, low back disability, left knee disability, polymyalgia, DVT of the legs, pulmonary embolism, and hernia.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection and increased rating for various conditions, as well as the issue of whether the appellant's bad conduct discharge is a bar to VA benefits. The character of discharge issue must be addressed first.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a bilateral eye condition as the Veteran withdrew her claim prior to a decision.,The Board granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received and that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.