Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and clinical records from the Heidelberg Army Hospital. The Veteran's appeal includes claims of PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Personality Disorder Traits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressive mood are related to his in-service stressors. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, mood disorder with depression and anxiety, and congestive heart failure as a result of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that a 10 percent disability rating is warranted for hypertension, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's asthma and depressive disorder have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be service-connected as they are related to her active duty service.

The Board has restored service connection for depression, finding that the November 2009 rating decision granting service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, which is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it was granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, hypertension, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be related to service due to their onset within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 4, 2002. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer. As a result, the Board dismisses these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder and mood disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 19, 2002.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for PTSD and depression, finding new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The underlying issue is addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, PTSD, and hypertension are all found to be related to his active duty service. Insomnia is not considered a separate condition.

The Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder and mood disorder are as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral feet, ankle, and low back disorders. The Board finds that the medical evidence is at least in equipoise, and entitlement to service connection for these conditions secondary to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's drug and alcohol addiction is at least as likely as not attributable to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder with depression). As a result, service connection for residuals of drug and alcohol addiction is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Therefore, the initial evaluation of 50 percent for the period prior to July 17, 2012 is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, manifested by cold sweats, had its onset in service. The bilateral foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis) was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The bilateral knee disability was not incurred in service, nor is it due to a service-connected disability. The hearing loss disability of either ear was not incurred in service. Tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service.