Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA mental disorders examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of March 1, 1984. This decision is based on new and material evidence submitted after the September 1984 denial.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted at a 20 percent disability evaluation. The PTSD and proliferative diabetic retinopathy with pseudophakia issues are not addressed as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and is satisfied with the current rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish current lung disabilities or a nexus to service, and there was no objective medical evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran has effectively lost the use of both of his lower extremities due to service-connected disabilities, which require the use of a wheelchair for mobility.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, and his sleep disorder were not service-connected as they did not manifest during active military service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on credible evidence of a personal assault during military service. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be directly related to the sexual trauma he experienced.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Depression. The effective date was determined to be June 8, 2007, and no higher rating is warranted prior to December 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a left shoulder injury related to service or a service-connected disability, and her major depressive disorder was incurred in service. The peripheral arterial occlusive disease of right thigh with scar is not related to service or a service-connected disability. The initial rating for the right shoulder strain remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and related depression has been granted based on the evidence showing a current diagnosis, in-service stressors consistent with his service, and a link between his symptoms and these events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, or hypertension. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), neck condition, COPD, sinus and allergy problems, left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, skin disorder, and hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are found to be aggravated by his service-connected back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and diabetes mellitus. The claim for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service in Vietnam and finds that he is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and noted that the Veteran's military occupational specialty did not involve combat exposure. The primary diagnosis was major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of blunt head trauma and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depression. The preponderance of medical evidence supports that the Veteran's current major depression was first manifested during his service and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction are found to be related to his service-connected low back syndrome. The Board affirms the grant of service connection for these conditions.