Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depression, finding that these conditions are attributable to service.,Regarding the TDIU claim, the Veteran meets the schedular requirements as of October 4, 2010. However, his combined rating is now less than 60% due to recent reductions in ratings for his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining VA psychiatric treatment records and an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is service-connected, and he is entitled to special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) is not service-connected.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and mood disorder, is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a nervous condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since March 25, 2016. This rating is granted as it meets the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's colon cancer is presumed to have been caused by his service in Vietnam, and he developed an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to the colon cancer. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his military service and grants service connection for both.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, which renders moot her request for a TDIU based on the sole service-connected disability of PTSD.

The Veteran's significant service-connected disabilities, including major depression, prostate carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, necessitate regular aid and attendance from another person. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression with anxiety disorder and cognitive disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU during the period from July 6, 2009 to May 6, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to assess the Veteran's disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a claimed in-service stressor and clarification of the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU, effective December 2, 2010. The attorney's fees were properly withheld as per the signed fee agreement.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and depressive disorder, had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any service-connected disease, event, or injury. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptomology.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including depression and PTSD, are not related to his military service. The erectile dysfunction is also not linked to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his Persistent Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment. The VA examiner determined that the symptoms are primarily attributable to PTSD.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and asthma, is found to be related to his active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is also found to be related to his active duty service.