Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for non-allopathic rib cage has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, a neck condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms after service, and concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available.,The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service connection was established due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,His adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure. His bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative residuals of uterine fibroids. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD based on personal assault, is being remanded as the evidence does not support a grant at this time.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA treatment records and conduct a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service, particularly his time in combat in Vietnam. The decision grants this claim by resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for aid and attendance, which meets the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to service, and there is insufficient evidence to corroborate an in-service incident of military sexual trauma (MST). As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD and depression due to MST is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran's current depression is found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities of left hand and forearm atrophy, right shoulder arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all evidence received since the March 2013 SSOC.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left foot disorder other than skin disorder, and tinnitus. The evidence received since the final March 2004 RO decision supports these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is now granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The effective date remains pending further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an evaluation of 10 percent or higher for his hypertension. For the other claims, the evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at his current address. The claim of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depression following the use of VA-prescribed medication Chantix from approximately 2007 to 2008 is denied as there is no evidence that his depression was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.