Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow pain, sinusitis, and depression. However, it denied service connection for left ankle disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease are service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is also service-connected based on the presumption of service connection for conditions related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, verifying service dates and stressor events, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with major depression disorder and alcohol dependence in full remission on March 28, 2011. The effective date of this grant is September 17, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and considering newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has resulted in deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent from August 18, 2009 to January 13, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to an in-service sexual assault. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration, including a new VA mental disorders examination to evaluate his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, which represents a full grant of all benefits sought.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no CUE in the March 1993 rating decision, and the Veteran did not provide requested information or cooperate with VA examinations.

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

The Veteran's acquired mental disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety/depressive disorder with panic attacks is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected back and legs disorders.,The claim for hypertension was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease, and not due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.