Depression decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression and substance abuse, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any psychiatric disability and qualifying active service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service stressor involving wrongful imprisonment and interrogation.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder arose in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for TMJ dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder), residuals of TBI, left hip disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and increased rating for service-connected left foot disability have been granted.

The Veteran's depression was incurred during his active service and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been assigned a 100 percent evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment, including difficulty at work and impaired cognitive functioning.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sinusitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service disease or injury, and no link between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in their entirety prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder, and a psychosis NOS, is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a rating of 100% effective from the date of death.,The claims for neurodegenerative disease (including ALS and PSP) and PTSD/Depression were also granted with a rating of 100%, effective from the date of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining records from JSRRC and VA eye examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, bilateral eyes, shoulders, knees, and spine are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing a VA addendum opinion. The Veteran's claim on appeal is related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran seeks recognition of his son Z.G. as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The Board finds that the evidence does not support this claim, as Z.G. was still considered capable of self-support at age 18.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder warrants a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 22, 2016. The Board granted TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another or housebound status prior to February 23, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has found that the evidence supports a rating of 70 percent for this condition due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's persistent adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as service-connected, and a 30% disability rating has been assigned. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.