Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left arm disability or lung cancer. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), kidney cancer, loss of kidney, and hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, was not manifested in and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and MDD, was granted a 70% rating effective May 3, 2016. Service connection for a right hip disability is not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's dysthymic disorder is related to his service-connected personality disorder and poor social relationships, which are longstanding issues dating back to his childhood.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety disorder, are not shown to be etiologically related to his service. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or stressors in service.

The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to March 4, 2016 and denied a higher rating. On and after March 4, 2016, the Veteran's depression was rated at 70 percent and again denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an additional VA psychiatric examination to clarify the current nature of his acquired psychiatric disorder and its etiology.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board also found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety and depression disorders are etiologically related to his service, including witnessing a motor vehicle accident while in active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability claimed as arthritis, an initial compensable rating for residuals of a laceration of the right wrist, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen. The appeal to reopen service connection for HIV infection was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and insomnia are related to his service, specifically his in-service motor vehicle accident and other incidents. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for depressive disorder and migraine headaches, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not approximated the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus his initial 50 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking his suicide to a service-connected disability. The claim was also denied for service connection for depression, as it was determined that the condition was not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD/depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues on appeal were either denied or not addressed in this decision.

The Board dismissed the motions for CUE as concerns effective dates earlier than February 26, 2010 for service connection of major depressive disorder and April 5, 2010 for ED and SMC. The Veteran's claims were premature due to lack of a final rating decision.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and confirming in-service stressors. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any present Axis I psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and need for further examination.