Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with polysubstance dependence in full remission and symptoms of depression was granted, effective January 4, 2005. The claims for depression and substance abuse were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors, and his current psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is not attributable to his military service or a service-connected disability, and it was not permanently worsened by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since July 17, 2007. The current rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pneumonia, depression, diabetes mellitus, a bilateral foot disability, and skin disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during his active duty. The Board found no presumptive service connection based on mustard gas exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee, effective October 1, 2009, was proper based on improvement in his condition as shown by VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial rating. The current 50% rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was denied as he is precluded from obtaining such due to a final denial of his previous claim for personality disorder. The effective date assigned in the January 2009 rating decision was September 11, 2003.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2008. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for further action including referral of the claim to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of prostate cancer and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including major depression and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, to his active service. The diagnoses were attributed to substance abuse rather than military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, among other psychiatric disorders, and the Board finds that his in-service sexual assault likely contributed to his current condition. The Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, and depression, during his claim and appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent since December 13, 2006. The Board finds that the current rating of 70 percent is appropriate given his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be related to his service, specifically the 1968 riot control in Baltimore. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression). The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, a lumbar spine disability, depression (secondary to PTSD), a benign growth of the lung, migraine headaches, and lung cancer. The evidence did not establish a link between any of these conditions and service.