Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer) is found to be related to service and granted. The heart condition claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's benign prostate hypertrophy (claimed as prostate condition) is not presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure, but the Board finds it more likely than not that it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete or unclear evidence, and the Veteran's representative requested a new examination for his hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD/Depression, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are now before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The diagnoses of these conditions are based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence supporting their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a urology examination to determine if he has a penile deformity or abnormality as a result of his circumcision in service and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, and macular degeneration with right optic atrophy are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's widow has withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis and therefore, service connection for arthritis is denied. The claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and headaches secondary to it remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing service records and SSA records, as well as to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and HIV.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was found to have manifested with occupational and social impairment, but not to a degree warranting an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to June 25, 2010. From June 25, 2010 to March 15, 2012, the Veteran's depressive disorder was found to have manifested with occupational and social impairment, but not to a degree warranting an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that this level of disability is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and substance abuse have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent from August 1, 2008 to June 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, depression, PTSD, and alcoholism, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected left L5 radiculopathy and depressive disorder did not warrant evaluations in excess of 40 percent and 70 percent, respectively.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional development including updated VA treatment records and a VA examination are needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9434. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of additional evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, is etiologically related to his active service.