Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The appeal regarding the rating for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Veteran's TDIU prior to March 11, 2013, remains granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression and PTSD are caused by a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, leading to the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person prior to December 11, 2014.

The Veteran's opiate dependence and pain disorder associated with both psychological factors and a general medical condition have been rated, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is as likely as not related to in-service personal assault, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an adjustment disorder from October 18, 2007 to December 16, 2015. The claim for anxiety disorder and additional acquired psychiatric disorders (in addition to PTSD and depressive disorder) is denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression, effective June 5, 2003. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating remains on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence submitted since the July 2005 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders or a causal relationship to in-service events.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to place the relevant evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a back disability related to service, and thus grants service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, depressive disorder and tonsillectomy. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, and alcohol dependence. The issues are being reviewed to determine if there is a current disability at the time of filing the claim or during its pendency.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, but denied all other issues due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder and determine whether he has any other psychiatric conditions with distinguishable symptoms from his service-connected condition. Additionally, a VA audiological examination should be conducted to determine if the Veteran currently experiences left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed depressive disorder, NOS had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and medical records relied upon in considering those benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted presumptive service connection for conditions due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left eye scar. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with additional development, including verification of stressor events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and other psychiatric conditions are service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's polycythemia vera is related to his service, as are the secondary conditions of fatigue, bone pain, dementia, major depression with anxiety, hypertension, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), heart failure, anemia, pre-syncope, renal insufficiency and headaches.,Osteoarthritis and disc degeneration of the cervical spine are also related to his service.