Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he does not exhibit total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder) were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to his service-connected left testicle disorder. The Board found the preponderance of evidence against these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear dates of Army Reserve service and incomplete STRs. The AOJ is also asked to verify the Veteran’s exposure to radiation while working as a telecommunication specialist near radars at Fort Hood, Texas, and his exposure to herbicides and pesticides while stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected major depressive disorder and his current sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claims of service connection for personality disorder, depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder and residuals of a traumatic brain injury including headaches and mild cognitive impairment with memory loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service TBI.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for depressive disorder, including substance and alcohol abuse, is granted. A grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and a need for further examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examiner must consider all relevant evidence, including statements from the Veteran's family members.

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, and he is granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his alleged involvement in covert operations during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 8, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions related to his military service, including cancer, shoulder issues, taste loss, numbness, fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and other health concerns. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by loss of sense of taste, including any related conditions such as burned tongue or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by numbness of the left side of the face, neck, and chest, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or fatigue. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by chronic fatigue, including anemia and any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual scars related to cancer treatment, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a disability manifested by neurological deficits, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diarrhea and constipation, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and other manner of sleep disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are due to a personality disorder and substance abuse, not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders have been dismissed. The Veteran withdrew these claims in February 2018, and the Board finds that he did so with full understanding of the consequences.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, he does not meet the eligibility requirements as his eye disability is not severe enough to qualify him under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.808. The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are also denied due to lack of qualifying disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was rated at 50% prior to January 29, 2015. The Board granted a higher rating of 70% effective from the date of remand (January 29, 2015).