Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes, right and left upper and lower extremity neuropathy, eyelid scar, and left eyebrow. Therefore, the Veteran is granted service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, while her major depressive disorder is denied. The appeal is mixed as it includes both granted and denied issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service personal assault. The claim will be reconsidered after this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and personality disorder are intertwined with his service-connected PTSD. They are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain relevant treatment records and provide a new examination. The case will be readjudicated after the necessary development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his time in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the late 1970s and a psychiatric examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened and granted, as new and material evidence had been received since the previous denial.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 18, 2000 for the award of service connection for PTSD and dismissed the claim for earlier effective date based on a finding of CUE in the February 2003 rating decision.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal on the issues regarding PTSD and any acquired psychiatric condition. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and major depressive disorder, and an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran. TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, has been found to be aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. His loss of memory is considered a symptom of this psychiatric disability. The liver condition is not related to medications for his service-connected disability. Right upper extremity radiculopathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, anxiety and major depressive disorder has been granted. His headaches secondary to PTSD have also been granted as a separate issue.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 50% disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the cervical spine, papillary squamous cell carcinoma, a thyroid disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a right ankle disability. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his active service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, SMC based on Aid and Attendance, and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development. The case will be returned to the Board once these issues have been addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the May 2017 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and its relationship to active duty service. The examiner is also asked to determine if any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder (such as anxiety and depression) is related to exposure to contaminated drinking water while stationed at Camp Lejene.