Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded his claim for left hip arthritis due to conflicting evidence regarding a nexus between his current disorder and any disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, chronic headache disorder (migraine and tension headaches), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are all granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service in Iraq. The alcohol abuse disorder is not considered a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to a lack of recent psychiatric evaluations. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to determine his current disability status.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, was evaluated at a 50% rating prior to April 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 50%. The symptoms were considered to be primarily related to work and did not result in total occupational and social impairment or significant deficiencies in other areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia) on secondary basis to service-connected fibromyalgia. Service connection is also granted for bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities (bursitis and limitation of abduction), and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and insomnia, is granted as incurred in service. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dysmenorrhea, and joint and abdomen pain are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder with sleep disturbance as secondary to his service-connected status post mild concussion, finding that there was no evidence linking the depression to the service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were granted initial ratings of 70 percent from April 28, 2018.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for duodenal ulcer, entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical disc disease, secondary service connection for headaches, and secondary service connection for depression. The Veteran's earlier effective date for TDIU was granted on September 8, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and a sleep condition is dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radicular symptoms of paresthesias in both lower extremities, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have aggravated his Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since January 10, 2017 is denied. The current rating of 70 percent adequately reflects the severity and impact of his PTSD symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ear cholesteatoma, tonsil and adenoid condition to include residuals of removal, and depression with memory loss. The Board found no medical nexus between these conditions and active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the initial rating decision and the need for further development regarding accrued benefits claims.