Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder and lumbar degenerative disc disease are both found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected depression, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability(ies) and abnormal leg movement disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right testicle disorder and acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection cannot be established. The Veteran's alcohol use disorder was also found to not be related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he has been employed full-time with VA since September 2013.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is service-connected as it is caused by his service-connected disability, Parkinson's disease. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also service-connected as it is secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability. Service connection is also granted for arthritis (right shoulder) but not OSA.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder, is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran has a current back disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but it did not become manifest within one year after service separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to obtaining disability retirement records from USPS and further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability for which service connection is sought. As such, no service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and depression, were not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's MDD and PTSD are found to be related to his service in Alaska, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetes, heart disability, or respiratory disabilities. The claim for throat cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for depression and the need for further development of stressor claims. The Veteran's PTSD is presumed, but his depression needs more clarification.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his active service, including a reported stressor event.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or any other relevant factors.