Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability was denied. The appeal to reopen this claim is denied. Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, secondary to migraine headaches, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service events, obtain treatment records, and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner who provided the April 2018 opinion needs to provide an addendum addressing this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of an increased disability rating for depressive disorder not otherwise specified and entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, low back disability (claimed as chronic low back pain and disc disease), and depressive disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and recurrent major depression, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression due to a lack of current diagnoses and inconsistent in-service stressor accounts with military records.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The decision also grants service connection for a headache disorder as a residual of TBI and impaired balance/dizziness as a residual of TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new psychiatric examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner must determine if any of these conditions are related to service, particularly an in-service personal assault.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include major depressive disorder, and for hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with anxiety and depression), sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial rating for anxiety and depression disorder was denied, as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain an updated work and education history and conduct a TDIU evaluation.

The Board has determined that an addendum opinion is necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder, as it may be related to service. The claims for PTSD and anxiety are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the major depressive disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of opinions regarding service connection, rating, and TDIU. The Veteran's spine disability may be secondary to his left ankle disability, but this needs to be clarified. His major depressive disorder requires a new examination to determine if he has suicidal ideation and its impact on work capacity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating and service connection issues.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and alcohol abuse. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorders were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and conduct a new examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for migraine headaches, increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and increased rating for obsessive compulsive disorder with major depressive disorder and panic disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and other issues due to incomplete development. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and undergo examinations.