Depression Board decisions

The Veteran died due to methadone and oxycodone intoxication. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of death, but the Board finds a remand is required to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service caused or aggravated his polysubstance abuse.

Service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, headaches disorder, and sleep apnea has been granted. Service connection for a left foot disorder is reopened but not granted. Service connection for hypertension was denied.,The Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, but remanded several issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol abuse have been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective September 9, 2010. The decision also addressed the matter of a TDIU due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The initial evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer in excess of 20% is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and pension purposes due to incomplete procedures, including not issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the new and material evidence issues. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is being examined again, and updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including unspecified depressive disorder, low back pain, neck pain, elbow and knee pain, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and seborrheic keratosis, have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service for most of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for unspecified depressive disorder has also been denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, needs further development. Specifically, they need to obtain SSA records and a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was reduced from a 70 percent evaluation to a 50 percent evaluation, but the Board has now restored the original 70 percent rating effective January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for Multiple Sclerosis and Depression as secondary to Multiple Sclerosis are both denied, with no new evidence provided to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the case is remanded to verify an in-service stressor and determine if a current psychiatric disorder is related to that stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective January 17, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and depressive disorder are related to her service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, specifically his reported MST and in-service water event. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if these events caused any of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, migraines, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a mental health condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression with alcoholism and PTSD (secondary to MST), is remanded due to new evidence received since the March 1997 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, right fifth metacarpal fracture was denied as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.,Service connection for calluses on both feet was also denied due to lack of evidence showing persistence post-service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, to include PTSD and depression due to new evidence received. However, the claim is still pending as it needs further examination.