Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings and the need for updated VA treatment records.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder, to include motor tic disorder, panic attacks, and depressive disorder.,The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for this condition effective June 27, 2017.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD based on a claimed in-service stressor. The Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder (including mood disorder with depression) is secondary to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's asthma was not found to be related to service or environmental exposures. Service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, were denied.

The Board found that the April and May 1988 rating decisions did not contain clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for bipolar disorder and depressive disorder, as there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service or within one year following separation.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased rating for his service-connected prostate adenocarcinoma and anxiety and depressive disorders (now claimed as PTSD) have been denied.,The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his psychiatric disorder, but contends that a higher disability rating is warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorders. The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the nature of his current diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for injection site lumps and an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence in full remission and dysthymia has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is presumed to have pre-existed service and may be aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current nature of his psychiatric disabilities, their likely etiology, and whether they were aggravated during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder, depression, anxiety and PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at a 50 percent rating, and the Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including TBI and its related disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as workman's compensation records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about her psychiatric history and any related claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to his service. The Veteran's current conditions were not caused by or aggravated by any in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined disability rating and a single 70% disability rating for his depressive disorder meet the eligibility criteria for TDIU. However, further clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude gainful employment.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on credible evidence of in-service stressors and current disability.,Service connection for Depression has not been established as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service.