Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for frostbite residuals of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, nose, and ears have not been established. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been established with secondary service connection to his service-connected spondylolisthesis.

The Veteran's major depression/PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from VA medical centers. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD are rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective from January 30, 2002.,His MDD with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information from private providers. The matter of his entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was raised during the January 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the previously denied claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, depression, hernia and vertigo. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records since June 2009. The TDIU issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is related to a military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as non-compensable due to the lack of documented diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mmHg or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 mmHg or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mmHg or more with blood pressure controlled by continuous medication.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his increased rating claim. The appeal for service connection and TDIU was withdrawn.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and TBI residuals, has been found to result in total social and occupational impairment for the entire period on appeal. The Board grants an initial rating of 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to service, and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (depression). The left wrist strain claim was reopened, but the Board determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic or permanent disability related to service. Claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia and right lower extremity sciatica were also denied.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue/throat and related residuals are service-connected due to exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune. The metastatic lymphadenopathy is also service-connected as it was a result of his primary cancer.,His depressive disorder is service-connected on a secondary basis, as it developed as a result of his service-connected cancer. His low back disability is service-connected based on the in-service trauma he experienced during parachute training.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, requesting a medical opinion regarding Huntington disease and psychiatric disorders, and determining whether R.A.P. was permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at age eighteen.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete verification of a stressor and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum to a VA medical opinion and ensuring that all requested information is provided. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability will be evaluated in relation to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.