Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a psychiatric disability (depression), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The claim for service connection for loss of memory has also been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is pending as additional development is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic self-catheterization from December 2007 until January 2012, resulting from VA treatment for voiding obstruction, caused additional disability including cystitis, renal insufficiency, depression and anxiety. The failure to timely diagnose and treat a large bladder diverticulum as the source of his voiding obstruction was found to be in breach of the standard of care.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depressive disorder NOS, are found to have been incurred during her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for Parkinson's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder (other than PTSD) and depression. The new evidence received since the last final denial shows a VA clinician noted in March 2017 that the Veteran had anxiety most of his life, that he reported anxiety about his own death after some friends passed away, and a generalized anxiety disorder was diagnosed.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine disability claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether the Veteran's depression was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is not related to his active service or service-connected residuals of a TBI. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on October 22, 2008. The Board finds that the earliest date for which service connection may be granted is October 22, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is granted, with the substance abuse disorder secondary to her acquired psychiatric disability also being considered. The Board found that she experienced a premature delivery during ACDUTRA which led to her current diagnosis of depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral knee disability, DM, eye and foot disabilities, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and depression. The decision found no new evidence to reopen the claim of a bilateral knee disability, that DM was not related to active service, and that none of the other conditions were related to active service or secondary to DM.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, post traumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with loss of range of motion, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment, and his service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment. Therefore, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for PTSD or TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining records of any alleged suicide attempt during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the Veteran's claims may be adjudicated, including obtaining VA examinations and records to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, headaches, and hypertension.