Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including depression with anxiety and panic attacks, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, depression, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, due to military sexual trauma in service is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between her MST and her diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea.,PTSD and other specified depressive disorder are rated at 70%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical fusion, acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to incomplete development of records from the Tennessee Department of Labor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder was denied. The increased, 70 percent rating for service-connected anxiety disorder and MDD is granted effective January 5, 2018.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection as the Veteran withdrew his requests to appeal these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder manifesting as depression and anxiety, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder fusion and right elbow arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and provide another opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded several other issues for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for educational assistance benefits was granted due to evidence showing he had a severe psychiatric disability (depression) that prevented him from pursuing education until November 2015.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The issue of asthma service connection is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Anxiety disorder, and Depressive disorder as there is no evidence of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-5 or a causal link to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded issues regarding a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee, right heel, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a scars evaluation. The AOJ must obtain additional evidence, conduct examinations, and ensure proper notice is provided to the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that his current diagnoses (PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) are related to his military service, particularly his experiences during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.