Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision is based on medical opinions that link the depression to his shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and tension headaches are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. However, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depressive disorder, and undifferentiated somatoform disorder, is caused by his service-connected mitral valve prolapse. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to schedule a VA examination and obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's depression is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right and left hip trochanteric bursitis, right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left foot calcific enthesopathy of the calcaneal bone, left inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol-use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective June 16, 2008. He also receives a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, costochondritis, and major depressive disorder disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is related to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders with alcohol abuse are rated at 50 percent, the minimum for a disability. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for broken right and left feet, as well as a low back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine L5-S1) are denied. The claim for tinea versicolor is reopened but remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) is also pending.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and weakness of upper/lower extremities, due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously characterized as PTSD, has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent only. Service connection for the Veteran's sleep disorder and headache disorder are remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorders was increased to 50 percent, but the claim remains pending as a higher rating is sought. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and a sleep disorder, on a secondary basis. Additionally, the Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are granted as service connected due to a stressful event during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional efforts should be made through opinions rather than another in-person examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound based on her service-connected disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for SMC housebound as defined by law and regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantial gainful employment prior to November 21, 2002. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new medical records. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1994 rating decision, but new evidence has been submitted supporting a current diagnosis of PTSD.

Service connection for depressive disorder is granted. Service connection for scleroderma is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for CAD and systemic lupus erythematosus as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina is remanded.