Depression Board decisions

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that the earliest possible effective date was April 10, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and denied service connection for substance abuse disorder. The decision on the latter issue is due to remand as there is no current diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's depression and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current depression is related to service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the nature of his acquired psychiatric condition. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information about private treatment records, and VA will attempt to verify service dates and stressor claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted service connection. The right shoulder tendonitis and left shoulder condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a mental disorder and metastatic esophageal cancer due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's depression is being remanded for another opinion considering his reports of stress from aircraft maintenance duties, and the esophageal cancer is being remanded for an opinion on whether it was related to exposure to environmental hazards in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and incomplete analysis of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, a mild neurocognitive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with foraminal stenosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), both found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to flaws in a previous VA medical opinion, and the need for clarification of certain records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from July 1, 2018. This rating reflects the Veteran's total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, near continuous panic or depression affecting his ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically obesity.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including major depressive disorder. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to active service or caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was not reopened, while the right foot disability claim was reopened. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 20% rating, and the residuals of the right great toe injury remain at a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if any psychiatric disability existed prior to service and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his military service, specifically if his substance abuse in service was an early manifestation of his depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and schizophrenia, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying employment history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as well as a sleep disorder. The decision concludes that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and any alcohol abuse disorder is not service-connected due to its being related to a personality disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed depressive and anxiety disorders are causally related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically right knee, left knee, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, and degenerative arthritis. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.