Depression Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back strain and major depressive disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and episodic alcohol abuse has rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment between January 29, 2010 and April 6, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Abuse in Remission is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his current severity level.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically his depression and dementia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his service experiences.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was withdrawn by the Veteran at his July 2019 hearing. The Board dismissed the remaining claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities, bilateral leg and hand disabilities (numbness), and a psychiatric disorder.,Service connection was denied for all issues due to lack of evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The appeal is not about service connection in this context.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure and causation of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, specifically mantle cell lymphoma, depression, insomnia, and memory loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria or a link between his symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder due to additional records being added to the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete examination and treatment records, as well as the need to address whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks and Major Depressive Disorder as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and an updated VA psychiatric examination is needed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, must be reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for depression, finding no current impairment of the condition and that it is not related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and service. The Veteran will need to provide further details about his in-service events, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's personality disorder is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, and the Board has remanded to determine if his unspecified depressive disorder had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the record, particularly regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and granted a 70 percent evaluation for anxiety disorder, including panic disorder and other specified depressive disorder, effective April 11, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including verifying an alleged helicopter crash incident and obtaining updated VA treatment records.