Depression decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety. The claim was also denied for a higher evaluation for his left femur stress fracture with lateral myofascial thigh pain and for individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected conditions, including major depression, failed neck syndrome with degenerative joint disease and right C-5 radiculopathy, acromioclavicular sprain of the right shoulder with Mumford procedures, right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for HTLV 1 and 2, anxiety and depression, peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs, hepatitis C, and prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides is dismissed due to withdrawal.,Veteran has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The Veteran's PTSD and Depressive Disorder are granted service connection, but his low back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen her claim of service connection for depression and found that she did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation for urticarial pigmentosa. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent evaluation for urticarial pigmentosa as of April 2, 2009.

The Board has characterized the issue on appeal as service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's depression is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities, thus establishing service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was found to produce no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and service connection for hemorrhoids. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2007.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for depression and bilateral knee disability were reopened, but his claim for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's MDD with psychotic features is rated at 70 percent disabling since July 16, 2012. The disability picture has been characterized by depressed mood, paranoid ideation, suicidal thoughts, chronic sleep impairment, and anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder with depression, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service combat experience. The other issues remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and finds no link between his Major Depressive Disorder and military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are related to his service, specifically a physical assault during service.

The Veteran's depression disability has been rated at 50 percent since October 24, 2006. The current rating reflects the severity of his symptoms as described by VA examiners and lay statements.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and granted the claim as it is determined that there was a verified in-service stressor and a link between current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.