Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not been manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with weight loss or other indication of malnutrition, and hepatomegaly; or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician having a total duration of four weeks or more in a 12-month period. Therefore, the criteria for an initial rating greater than 20 percent have not been satisfied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The decision is based on the merits of his case without invoking any specific presumption or secondary condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current psychiatric disorder (other than a personality disorder) and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI is pending and not decided.,Service connection was granted for chronic kidney disease (CKD) effective January 16, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD disability rating remains at 70 percent.,PTSD with MDD disability ratings have been denied since February 26, 2014.,The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches effective May 28, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and mood disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed depression) are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since November 2006. Effective August 2015, the rating is increased to 40 percent.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as not due to herbicide exposure or being secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection for hepatitis A has been denied.,Service connection for a skin disorder has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and trypanophobia) has been denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD, but the Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to PTSD remains pending.,Service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD has not been established.,TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The examiner will provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition began during or was otherwise caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection were dismissed as the decisions assigning the effective dates have become final.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has not yet issued a statement of the case on the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) related to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not linked to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD claim cannot be granted as there is no valid service stressor supporting a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran was denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete actions from previous remands. The Veteran's hearing request was not accommodated, and a new videoconference hearing is scheduled at the Nashville VARO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with all other psychiatric conditions being considered as a result of his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and/or anxiety, due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for this condition as it is likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have diagnosed PTSD that is incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for major depression, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. These conditions are all found to have onset in service.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.