Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anorexia nervosa, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee condition. Service connection for the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement right knee, status post partial lateral meniscectomy, is denied.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder, and the low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 25, 2016, with no higher. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, while the right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral eye disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment reaction with mixed emotion is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA and service personnel records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea are not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Board finds that the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to or the result of service-connected disease or injury, and his back disability was incurred in active military service. Therefore, both conditions are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board previously granted service connection for anxiety disorder. As the issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder is encompassed by this grant, and a full grant of benefits has been implemented, no case or controversy remains within the Board's jurisdiction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The heart disorder is also not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and its residuals from a gunshot wound to the neck with stroke have resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was not shown to be etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, and found that it is related to the Veteran's military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression warrant a 50 percent rating for the entire appeal period, as his symptoms meet the criteria for reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression with alcohol and marijuana dependence are rated at 70 percent, warranting a higher evaluation. The Veteran also has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more disabling, which is separate from his TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. His diabetes mellitus type II is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, his tinnitus remains at a noncompensable rating, and he does not meet the criteria for compensable evaluations of bilateral SNHL or any other conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and has determined that new evidence received since the last denial supports the claim. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor, which involves fear of hostile military activity while flying missions over Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for asthma and depression, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, and his anxiety and depression are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective November 5, 2008. The initial disability rating for diabetic nephropathy was increased to 60 percent in February 2007.