Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from March 10, 2010.

The Veteran's asthma, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), back disability, cervical spine disability, heart disability, bilateral ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability are not service connected. The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were found to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including searching for outpatient mental health records from Ireland Army Hospital at Fort Knox and the 209th General Dispensary in Germany. The case will also be reviewed to determine if a VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea and TBI. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to his military service. Service connection is also granted for the extension of a temporary total evaluation due to right shoulder surgery.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's mental health disabilities, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board found no service connection for the heart disorder but granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to depressive disorder. The heart disorder is not linked to service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 1, 2008 to September 10, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and ensuring that all relevant treatment records are obtained. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and his claim for TDIU will be considered in light of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with depression and TDIU was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and dysthymia, had its onset during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and panic disorder. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the current acquired psychiatric disorders (Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder) are not related to active duty service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to her military service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for a right wrist condition, earlier effective date for service connection of a right wrist condition, and service connection for hepatitis and major depressive disorder have been granted. The right wrist condition is rated at 10 percent disabling since October 29, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, providing an opinion on direct service connection for fibromyalgia, and issuing a statement of the case regarding PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluation of PTSD, service connection for urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and TDIU have all been denied.