Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the requested VA examinations were inadequate and not in compliance with the June 2014 Remand directives. The case is therefore REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since February 18, 2015. Prior to that date, he was rated at 30%. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 30% rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's additional disabilities, including rhabdomyolysis and other conditions he claims are related to Zocor use, were not caused by VA's failure to exercise due care or consent. The evidence shows that the Veteran had been taking Zocor for years without incident prior to his hospitalization in 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset in active service or within one year thereafter and is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension and endogenous depression with psychophysiological headaches have not been established as service-connected or due to a service-connected disability. The claim for an increased rating has also been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected left testicular atrophy. The infertility was also determined to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective June 4, 2009. The issue remains on appeal as the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was not productive of total social and occupational impairment prior to February 23, 2011. The Veteran's fibromyalgia with epicondylitis has been manifested by constant and refractory chronic fatigue, paresthesias in the hands and feet, tremors in the hands, and musculoskeletal symptoms including pain, stiffness, muscle weakness, achiness, myalgia, arthralgia, and decreased exercise tolerance. The Veteran does not currently have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since July 6, 2010. Service connection for a low back disability has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for depression and TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches, her acquired psychiatric disorder, and her hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, persistent depressive disorder, and a residual scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As such, the Board has granted TDIU effective April 7, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA social and industrial survey to assess the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's complaints of chronic fatigue/loss of energy, sleep impairment and sweating are attributed to his service-connected PTSD and related depression. Therefore, these conditions cannot be granted as separate disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and chronic depressive disorder, was denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the initial element required for service connection due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be caused or aggravated by his active service, with the benefit of doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.