Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, other than depression, that was incurred in or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is not related to his military service and does not result from or be aggravated by any service-connected disability, including diabetes.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from June 5, 2012 to March 26, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his depressive disorder and bowel disability were denied by the Board. The Veteran's depressive disorder was found to be manifested by moderate symptoms, which corresponded to a 50 percent evaluation. His bowel disability was not shown to warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative disease, lumbar spine. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, contact dermatitis (claimed as concrete poisoning), depression, essential tremors of the hands, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also addressed a claim for right total hip arthroplasty but found no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder NOS, is due to his exposure to stressful events during service. The Board grants service connection for the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability, which was aggravated by in-service sexual assault. The Veteran now has service connection for PTSD.

The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related or attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding her psychiatric conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and depression did not have its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 22, 2008. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and an anxiety and depressive disorder, both diagnosed as acquired psychiatric disorders.,Service connection was also granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 7, 2014. As of February 7, 2014, the rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The issues of service connection for an undiagnosed illness and an acquired psychiatric disorder are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, to include as secondary to his service-connected headaches, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide a supplemental opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired mental disorder due to in-service stressors. The examiner concluded that his current psychiatric symptoms are more likely related to his long history of mental illness, rather than prior military experiences.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.