Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia with depression due to new and material evidence, but further development is needed as the psychologist's opinion relies on information not in the current record.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted service connection, while type II diabetes mellitus and back disability are denied. Migraine headaches, PTSD, and major depressive disorder claims remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and penile curvature with erectile dysfunction, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, personality disorder, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depression, finding that the earliest possible effective date was July 3, 2007. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it would be affected by the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder manifested by depression, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, was granted in February 1995 with a 50% disability rating. The effective date of this award is September 12, 1994.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and review of the file, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual harassment. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, or Major Depressive Disorder are related to his claimed in-service sexual harassment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current depression and its relation to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical examinations and lack of proper verification of a stressor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a seizure disorder. The claims for increased evaluation for right thumb disability, service connection for back disability, and service connection for depression are also remanded due to inextricability with the reopening of the seizure disorder claim.

The Board previously granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 22, 2008 onward. However, due to a previous administrative decision discontinuing TDIU benefits, the RO did not implement this grant of SMC. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound, leading to a denial of special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for UTI and gynecological disability (endometritis). The issues of service connection for a right arm/shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and low/mid back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, irritable bowel syndrome, and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and the denial is upheld.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for reactive airway disease (asthma) was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, including twitching, skin crawling, jerking, anxiety attacks, headaches, depression, and a nervous condition, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.