Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in the May 2018 decision, specifically failing to discuss a July 1986 letter from the Veteran's mother regarding his claimed in-service stressor event. The Veteran is required to provide information for obtaining any outstanding records of treatment by VA or non-VA health care providers.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C and major depression prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection.,Service connection for a neck disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 17, 2012. The rating is granted as the disability causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD due to new evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and because the Veteran's claim for reopening the major depressive disorder claim is still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for substance abuse secondary to unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder (also considered as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder) due to a need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and remanded the claims for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the final denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for determining that the Veteran's suicidal ideation and poor hygiene were due to his service-connected other specified depressive with other specified stressor-related disorder. The Veteran is requested to provide medical records from Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, as well as major depressive disorder (depression), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing current diagnoses and a causal relationship between the service-connected condition and the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and eligibility for treatment pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1702 can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, depressive disorder, back disability, bilateral hip and foot disabilities, and hernia (right inguinal) has been granted. However, the claims for sleep disorder secondary to a service-connected disability and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability prior to July 2015, 2013 and after September 1, 2014 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, but the issues of peripheral neuropathy and psychiatric disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a psychiatric disorder and restored the 20% disability rating for lumbar spine disability. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, gout, bilateral knee disability, stroke, TIA, low back injury with degenerative disc disease, and depression due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left testicle disorders, PTSD, depression, and bilateral knee disabilities are all granted. The decision also remands the Veteran's claim for a back disorder and skin disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by memory loss, dry skin, dry scalp, left wrist disability, or CFS separate and distinct from his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for residuals of a left foot fracture of the second and third metatarsals. Additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including evidence related to personal assault during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, and MDD. The most probative evidence of record shows that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or bipolar disorder, and his diagnoses of mood disorder and major depressive disorder are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided and no rating assigned.