Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete military personnel records and an unclear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability existed prior to service. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his psychiatric disorder as it does not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of depression.,The Veteran's right hip disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2016. From April 1, 2017, the rating has been increased to 50 percent due to moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's sciatica in the right lower extremity warrants a 20 percent rating as it manifests with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The claim for service connection for major depression is reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but it remains denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the current diagnosis to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, esophageal cancer, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The remand requires further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression and PTSD, has been rated at 70% since May 31, 2007. The effective date for the TDIU is also set to May 31, 2007.

The Veteran's pain disorder with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a 70% or greater disability rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, increased ratings for low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his depression is related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is related to military sexual trauma (MST) and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including foot disability, toe numbness and tingling, hypertension, chronic edema, erectile dysfunction, left leg neuropathy, and depression. The VA will obtain his treatment records from 1970 to 2000, schedule him for examinations, and provide medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is found to be related to an in-service event. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the issue of TDIU is moot for the period beginning February 16, 2016. The case is remanded to obtain an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 16, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD). The Veteran's hearing loss and fibromyalgia claims are remanded. The rating of the Veteran's radiculopathy is also remanded. TDIU is remanded as it is intertwined with other issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition and depression is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is etiologically related to his time in active service. Additionally, the Veteran's depression is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The appeal regarding a sleep disorder and peptic ulcer disorder is remanded.

The claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral foot disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The claim for major depressive disorder is reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression is rated at 50 percent from December 5, 2013. The rating was granted as the symptoms have caused reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since August 25, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 70 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was granted.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was denied because he does not have any service-connected disabilities.