Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and substance abuse disorder, are service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has persistent depressive disorder related to his military service, and OSA also related to his military service.

The Veteran's depression is caused by her other service-connected disabilities, specifically her vision loss.,PTSD was not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's service. The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) associated with PTSD and her bilateral eye disorder are also related to her service-connected conditions.

The appeal of service connection for a right shoulder disability is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depressive disorder) are denied, as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or evidence linking the disorders to service. Service connection for shin splints is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding PTSD under DSM-IV and whether it is aggravated by service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to January 30, 2017. Effective January 30, 2017, the rating for PTSD increased to 100 percent.,From September 3, 2010 to January 30, 2017, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds no nexus between his current psychiatric disorders and service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and cognitive disorder, cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or combat experience. The diagnosis of PTSD was also deemed invalid due to lack of supporting evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V, and to obtain a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been reopened and is now pending. The evidence received since the last final denial shows that his right shoulder disorder may be related to military service.,Service connection was granted for major depressive disorder, but no specific rating or compensation amount was provided as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, to include a history of depressive disorder, were rated at 50% from April 27, 2000 through February 5, 2002; increased to 70% from February 6, 2002 through October 15, 2009; and granted a 100% rating from October 15, 2009 through August 2, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain any relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as there is no evidence of its onset within one year after service discharge and the medical opinions do not support a finding that it was caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and updating the claims file with any new information. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as the Veteran's current condition did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also denied service connection for right and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for type II diabetes mellitus because it first manifested more than a year after separation from service, and there is no evidence that the Veteran had diabetes during service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.