Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and depression. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and an initial rating of 50 percent or higher for his depression since June 30, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back disorder, depression/anxiety/nerve problems, chest disorder, neck disorder, and mouth disorder. The RO denied some of these claims but granted others. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence shows a link between his in-service stressor and current PTSD symptoms, thus granting service connection for PTSD. Service connection is denied for all other psychiatric disorders as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the mental health issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracic spine fractures (claimed as a lower spine injury), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, broken ribs, and left knee condition. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has denied reopening the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's depression is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The symptoms are considered to be of moderate severity and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for supplemental etiology opinions regarding any acquired psychiatric disorders present during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between any diagnosed condition and his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a persistent depressive disorder, pre-existed service and did not permanently increase in severity beyond the natural progression during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and were not caused by a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for further examination. The Board will determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including a resulting sleep disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claimed undiagnosed illness (Gulf War Syndrome) manifested by muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, and a sleep disturbance were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, is necessary before a decision can be made on his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. The Board found that new evidence had been submitted which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is service connected, but his major depressive disorder is not. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there was no diagnosis of PTSD.