Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg disability, right knee disability, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability due to lack of supporting objective medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the September 2017 medical examination, specifically regarding the likelihood of whether the Veteran's anxiety and depression were aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically his seizure disorder. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on the etiology of the claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, depression, OCD, and bipolar disorder, is denied as there was no in-service stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to verify the stressor and determine if it is related to his service. The right ear hearing loss disability is also being remanded as there are no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by service, and a left middle finger disorder is being remanded to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be considered based on the verified stressor. The right ear hearing loss disability may be related to his service due to exposure to noise during service. The left middle finger disorder needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder and a higher initial evaluation for MDD from February 8, 2012 to July 18, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other specified depressive disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria and insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for gastric cancer and liver cancer, both linked to herbicide agent exposure. The cause of the Veteran's death is also considered service-connected due to his gastric cancer. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and chloracne.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for their acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia, depression, and PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including referral to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from March 27, 2001 to present. The Board has granted a higher rating for the period of May 11, 2017 to present.

The Board has granted service connection for an Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder (claimed as PTSD and MDD), finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is remanded due to unverified stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD with MDD and ADHD, including her potential schizophrenia symptoms and need for home care aid.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from December 12, 2016 to February 20, 2018 is granted. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to January 15, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and an unspecified anxiety disorder was granted.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and GERD were also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his major depressive disorder did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated by service. The examiner noted that the depression developed after service and was more likely due to alcohol dependence and other substance abuse issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically depression. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, effective from the date of the decision. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered with a new psychiatric examination.