Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for scheduling of the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders and low back disability are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran had any pre-existing psychiatric disorders prior to service, whether they were aggravated by service, or if any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, chronic headaches, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left hip disorder, and left hip scar have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since April 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for depressive disorder and dementia is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's mood disorder, including depression, is caused by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and arthritis of the bilateral hips. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and vertigo. The claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as there is no diagnosed condition separate from his already service-connected cognitive impairment or dementia due to Parkinson's disease. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no currently diagnosed disability. The claim for vertigo remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and need for further development, including verification of service in Korea and review of private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran is not shown to have a current disability of these conditions, with the exception of left ear hearing loss which was found to be less likely related to military noise exposure. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and tinnitus are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, and sleep problems, originated during his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a TDIU due to incomplete records, need for another examination, and inextricability of the issues.

The Board is remanding the case to consider the collective impact of all the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss disability, on his disability picture and whether it renders the schedular evaluations inadequate for an extra-schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and alcohol dependence, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, was aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is related to service. The secondary substance abuse disorders are also considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice of a change in his hearing request. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), based on verified in-service stressors. The Veteran's right maxilla disorder is denied due to lack of current evidence. Service connection for a neck disorder was not addressed.

The Board has found the Veteran's report of stressors while on active duty in Vietnam to be plausible and credible, and service connection for PTSD with depression is granted.