Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted service connection, and he is awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to his right wrist fracture with bone graft is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address whether his depression was caused or aggravated by his wrist condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia as new and material evidence was not submitted, and his sleep impairment symptoms are considered part of his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has revised the effective date of service connection for depressive disorder from June 2, 2010 to December 30, 2004 due to clear and unmistakable error in the original decision. The Veteran is granted service connection for depressive disorder with an initial rating of 30%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle arthritis and depression, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety has been rated at 50 percent since April 11, 2007. The Board denied a higher rating for the condition and dismissed the claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder and adjustment disorder, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's substance abuse disability, polysubstance (cocaine and alcohol) dependence, is granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosed psychiatric conditions during his military service. The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran’s current acquired psychiatric disorder and his military service, including incidents of racial injustice.

The Veteran's cause of death, methadone toxicity by suicide, was found to be related to his in-service back disability and subsequent opiate abuse and dependency. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death but dismissed the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation as DIC benefits have now been awarded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension was denied as there is no relationship between the condition and military service, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied because the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's irritable colon syndrome and internal hemorrhoids have been rated appropriately, but his chronic depression with anxiety has not received the appropriate effective dates.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable evaluation for shin splints, a compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus, and a rating greater than 10 percent for asthma. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from April 12, 2011. A TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo VA examinations for his service-connected depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and headache disorder due to the lack of recent medical records and examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied as his depression is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and mood disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder warrant a higher initial rating, but the claim is remanded to obtain updated findings from a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran developed PTSD as a result of active service and that this condition caused or contributed to his death by suicide. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression) due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.