Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a nexus between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Board found no in-service stressor sufficient to establish PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as the evidence shows he is capable of performing a sedentary to light demand level of employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 50 percent, effective June 6, 2012. The Board granted a higher rating to 70 percent for the entire appeal period. However, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude all work-type activity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, migraine headaches, right wrist arthritis, and neurological symptoms in the left lower extremity. The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressors of MST or personal assault, and concluded that there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on these stressors. The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of unit records and payroll records, which may contain information about the Veteran's service in Lebanon. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional evidence or argument.

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The stressors claimed by the appellant were determined to be the result of willful misconduct and thus do not qualify as in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private hospital records from Penrose Saint Francis Health Services and providing VCAA notice regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection.

The Board has found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder. However, additional development is needed to more fully ascertain the nature and etiology of the claimed PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No rating decision was made as the issues were not about service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST. The evidence submitted since the last denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and will be held in abeyance until further action on these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, are found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, and awarded a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person, or by reason of being permanently housebound, and to a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service connected disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently meets (or did at any time during the pendency of this appeal) the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disorder, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to military service. The Veteran's in-service stressor must also be verified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his cervical spine condition and service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA examiner will also provide opinions on whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.