Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected DJD of the right foot.,The Veteran's respiratory disorders are related to service exposure to asbestos. His current COPD and asthma are at least as likely as not caused by in-service asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's back disorder is related to a back injury sustained during an incident involving his right foot, which he claims occurred while on active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a mental disorder, to include PTSD and depression, that is related to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and PTSD have been granted service connection. The depression claim is still pending as new evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined claim for TDIU, and the Veteran submitted a VA Form 9 indicating disagreement with the denial of this claim. The case is now returned to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and personality disorder. The examiner will provide clear opinions regarding occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from December 8, 2005 to January 20, 2010.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his psychiatric diagnosis and a new VA examination regarding erectile dysfunction. The issues on appeal include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, initial disability ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the stressors related to his claimed conditions and to obtain supporting medical documentation from SSA.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral knee disability, low sex drive, and left eye disorder were not incurred in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent since December 23, 2015. The claim for service connection of Hepatitis C and skin disabilities of the left and right feet are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms producing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding psychiatric treatment records from the Vet Center and VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claims will be further developed before being reconsidered.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of multiple psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines from April 16, 2008 to February 26, 2016. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded.