Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and dysthymia/depression, social phobia, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, alcohol dependence continuous, nightmares, and nicotine dependence, are not etiologically related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The rating assigned is 70 percent disabling effective June 5, 2006.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the lumbar spine disorder, the VA examiner concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically claimed as PTSD, is denied. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other diagnosable psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is also denied. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and ADHD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

Service connection established for lower extremity radiculopathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression).,A 40 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder prior to September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 10 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder as of September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 60 percent rating was granted for the cardiac disorder prior to February 25, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 30 percent prior to April 4, 2012 and at 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from February 17, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression mood, chronic, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address in-service treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, including in-service stressors. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. His PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70%. The Veteran's TDIU claim based on his service-connected PTSD has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claims for increased ratings have been granted. He also has service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on whether his alleged stress and anxiety during training in Okinawa would satisfy DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. The examiner should also address whether any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, including a bipolar disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The remaining claims are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's active service from June 26, 2001 to January 2, 2002 is established. As the Veteran had honorable discharge and served on active duty, he meets the criteria for veteran status and thus has basic eligibility for VA disability compensation benefits.

The Veteran's OSA was incurred in active wartime service and he is entitled to a TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression warrants an initial disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or is otherwise related to his period of active service.,Cold weather injury residuals, arthritis, gout, hypertension, an eye disorder (ultraviolet keratitis), a gastrointestinal disorder (colitis), an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), vertigo, and a kidney disorder are not shown to be related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.