Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his current appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, as well as right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's initial rating claim for left/bilateral hearing loss will be adjudicated after the grant of service connection for his right ear.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD with psychotic features, have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to November 5, 2016. The Board found that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as he can perform all activities of daily living without assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and bilateral eye disability (photophobia) are all related to her service-connected migraines.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder, is related to his service. The claim for insomnia was not granted as secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension was not granted as incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an anxiety disorder other than PTSD, a depressive disorder, and a substance-abuse disorder. The evidence submitted since the December 1996 rating decision relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's pre-service hospitalization and his military personnel file. The VA will also need to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is service connected and rated at 70%.

The Veteran's hematuria was found to have its onset during service and is granted service connection. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) and hypercholesterolemia are remanded as additional development is required. Increased ratings for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and anemia are also remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was restored to a 70 percent rating, effective November 1, 2016. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected depression.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection, including his exposure to Agent Orange. The issues of radiculopathy in the bilateral upper extremities, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis B, tinnitus, and depression are all pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of permanent and total disability due to his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found to be present, as there are insufficient current evidence of record to make a decision on the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, depression (secondary to service-connected multiple sclerosis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his COPD, OSA, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will provide a new examination for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and depressive disorder claims are granted. The left distal fibula, increased rating for the left ankle disability, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the appellant's service in Vietnam and to determine if his psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his active duty. The coronary artery disease claim remains pending as it is not clear whether the exposure basis for this condition relates to service.