Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with associated major depressive disorder is granted as service connection, based on a diagnosed fear of hostile military activity during his time in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied, but he was granted a 30% rating effective March 8, 2011. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to reconcile conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for tenosynovitis, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hands, and reopened previously denied claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased evaluations and effective dates.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of laceration of left calf. The reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent for recurrent cellulitis, left leg, was granted and the rating restored. Service connection for vasculitis, left lower extremity, and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates and higher disability evaluations for his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema and major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct new examinations, and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted an initial rating of 60 percent, effective December 28, 2010. The recognition of L.K. as the helpless child of the Veteran was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions of record are not adequate and the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled examination. The claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to February 12, 2013. From February 12, 2013 through January 4, 2016, he received a 50% rating. However, from January 5, 2016 onwards, his PTSD was rated as not meeting the criteria for any higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety and unspecified depressive disorders, is denied as the evidence does not support a service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and depressive disorder, has been reopened. Service connection is granted, with a rating of 70% for the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) from March 27, 2012 to December 15, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and PTSD), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Cushing’s syndrome.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's new and material evidence includes post-service VA and private treatment records, as well as lay statements from the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarification of a previous VHA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depression. The case will be returned for further adjudication, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 23, 2010 and dismissed the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), cervical spine disability, low back disability, right hip disorder, and left foot drop as there is no current diagnosis related to these conditions.,There was no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.