Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypercholesterolemia claim is denied. A 10 percent rating for hypertension is granted, effective from July 31, 2013. Service connection for depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is service-connected as it was caused by a verified incident of military sexual trauma (MST) during his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mood disorder, NOS, as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C. The evidence raises a reasonable doubt about whether the Veteran’s current mood disorder is due to or caused by his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's ethmoid sinusitis is not rated higher than noncompensable, as there were no incapacitating episodes or purulent discharge/crusting.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 70% rating due to symptoms including depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and sleep impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service. The decision also acknowledges a diagnosis of Depression but does not provide separate ratings as it would violate pyramiding rules.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative joint and disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's posttraumatic tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for headaches and TDIU prior to November 17, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were not shown to be related to his active service or any service-connected disability. The Board found the diagnoses of PTSD and other conditions unreliable due to inconsistencies in the medical records and the Veteran's history of malingering.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and childhood abuse is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service personal assaults, which meets the criteria for service connection.

The appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal for substitution has also been remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection was denied for rhinitis and sinusitis, COPD, OSA, cervical spine disability, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, chondromalacia of the right knee, left knee sprain, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic/lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral MTP joints, and a skin condition. The case was remanded for further action on several issues.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than chronic adjustment disorder, with mixed features (which includes PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and memory loss) is also denied. The Veteran's symptoms are accounted for in the existing rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities. The Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or aggravation are not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and granted service connection for headaches, major depressive disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cervical spine disability claim remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection has been granted for major depressive disorder secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Joint pain (bilateral knee osteoarthritis), neck disorder (cervical spine arthritis), and back disorder (lumbar spine arthritis) have not met the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be related to service or within one year of separation from service.,Left ankle disorder, vision disorder (refractive error of the eye), bilateral hearing loss, shortness of breath, and sleep disorder have not been established as service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Heart disorder has not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and unspecified depressive disorder associated with his back condition are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has decided that the veteran's depression should be re-evaluated due to recent stress and hardship, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded all issues due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations. The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and malaria are among the conditions being reviewed.