Depression decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, white matter changes of the brain, generalized joint pain, major depressive disorder, carpal spasms, and prostate cancer. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to contaminants during service in the Gulf War.

The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's PTSD and depression were incurred during his active military service, specifically related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically dysthymic disorder/chronic depression. The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: (1) seeking an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability, and (2) seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow for further development regarding the Veteran's self-employment status during the relevant period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression is granted as the claimed stressor event is considered verified, and there is a link between current symptoms and the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymic disorder and now including major depressive disorder, is manifested by symptoms producing no more than occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has not manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating total occupational and social impairment, thus the higher initial rating of 70% is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last denial is considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, Adjustment Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder were granted. The right knee disability was increased to 20% and the left knee disability was increased to 10%. TDIU was also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and sleep disorder. The underlying issue is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has reopened several claims but denied service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was not established for arthritis of the arms, hands, fibromyalgia, headaches, PTSD, unspecified muscle disability, limited eye sight, depression, or residuals of circumcision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as an LPN and able to perform his duties despite some industrial impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, which are considered direct service connection as they were diagnosed in conformance with DSM-IV standards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and a vocational expert review.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date of this grant is April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and panic disorder have been rated at 30 percent since March 19, 2009. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to January 19, 2011 was granted with an effective date of March 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his incarceration at the time of a scheduled Board hearing. The issues include reopening psychiatric disability claims and seeking service connection for various disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and depression, finding no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including antisocial personality disorder and depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, opioid dependence, and mood disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between these conditions and his military service.