Depression decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 9, 2010 for service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent with psychotic features and polysubstance abuse due to lack of a pending claim prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder claims are granted, but due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the diagnosis of PTSD, a clear link between current symptoms and service is not established. The depression claim was also reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including MDD, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar vertebra fracture has completely healed and does not contribute to his current symptoms, limitations, or neurological deficits associated with nonservice-connected degenerative disc disease, stenosis, spurring, and residuals of herniated disc at L5-S1. The claim for an initial, compensable rating for lumbar vertebra fracture is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression is related to his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's personality disorder pre-existed military service and was aggravated during service. The appeal is currently in a 'mixed' disposition as some issues may be granted while others are not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, anxiety disorder NOS, GAD, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors or a finding that any diagnosed conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination by a vocational rehabilitation specialist to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was not shown to be related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. E.J.S. and any other providers identified by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD and major depression were also granted. The Veteran's claims for stomach condition (claimed as a distended stomach), gingivitis, and gout were denied. Initial ratings greater than 60 percent prior to July 22, 2008, for coronary artery disease (CAD) were granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type and PTSD. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a scar of the right lower leg is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred a scar during active duty and it is related to his in-service injury.

The Board is requesting additional information from SSA regarding the Veteran's receipt of disability benefits, as this may affect the reopening and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence sufficient to reopen his claims for service connection for depression, head trauma, and cognitive problems. The claim was previously denied in January 2005 due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD combined with depression and assigned a 50 percent rating, effective August 22, 2011. The Veteran's initial ratings for depression were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, right wrist sprain, left wrist injury residuals, and postoperative residuals of a fracture of the left ankle are all rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted increased ratings to 20 percent for his mechanical low back pain from July 31, 2014.