Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his military service. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an addendum VA examination to address service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as a new VA examination for thoracic strain. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and hypertension is granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service events linked to his current conditions and provided sufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for TBI and major depressive disorder as more development is needed, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, and depression claimed as due to pes planus and erectile dysfunction are all pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and examination to address her TBI, left knee strain, migrainous and cervicogenic headaches, and service-connected psychiatric disabilities. The issues of rating the TBI, left knee strain, and migrainous and cervicogenic headaches are currently on appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for arterial hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder should be remanded due to missing records, including SSA disability benefits decision and VA treatment records. The RO/AMC is instructed to seek these records and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is found to be related to his service-connected disabilities and granted.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders not otherwise specified are rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2012. The appeal is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether PTSD is related to military sexual trauma during service remains pending as a remand is required to obtain an updated VA examination using DSM-V criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and has determined that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection.

The Veteran's MDD with mild neurocognitive disorder and TBI is rated at 100 percent, effective from the date of claim. The right maxillary sinusitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, need further development. The case will be sent back to VA for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety, but the case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding a possible diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service assault.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is denied because there is no corroborated stressor evidence linking the condition to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran had a mental health disability at the time of his death and if it was related to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and increased ratings. The issues include PTSD, jaw disability, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral vestibular disorder, kidney stones, and persistent depressive disorder.