Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to an in-service stressor, which is supported by credible evidence. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with a focus on whether they are related to his active duty service or specifically to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his major depressive disorder and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including eating disorders and PTSD. The evidence supports that these conditions had their onset in or are otherwise directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed depressive disorder is not service-connected as it does not stem from her active duty, but rather from a motor vehicle accident that occurred after she was no longer in the military.

The Veteran withdrew the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD during his March 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is found to be related to service. The TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer with vagotomy, pylorplasty, appendectomy, and subtotal gastrectomy. The acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) and prostate cancer are not found to be related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from his military hospitalization and to conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his varicose veins. The Veteran also needs additional development regarding allegations of in-service assaults and head injuries.

The Veteran's liver disease is presumed to be due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and service connection for this condition has been granted. The claim for depression as secondary to liver disease was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder NOS is related to his service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder. The Board also finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2014 for the grant of a TDIU. The decision concluded that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates due to lack of unemployability within one year prior to February 11, 2014.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. He was granted a 50% rating effective January 2016.,Prior to September 21, 2015, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was not characterized by unfavorable ankylosis. From September 21, 2015, his condition has been characterized as having unfavorable ankylosis and he is now rated at 50% effective January 2016.,Prior to December 4, 2015, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was characterized by mild incomplete paralysis. From December 4, 2015, his condition has been characterized as moderate incomplete paralysis and he is now rated at 20% effective January 2016.,Prior to December 4, 2015, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was characterized by mild incomplete paralysis. From December 4, 2015, his condition has been characterized as moderate incomplete paralysis and he is now rated at 20% effective January 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired depressive disorder with anxious distress features is related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,The Board has also found that the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his diagnosed depressive disorder and tinnitus. As a result, the Veteran is granted service connection for headaches.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities resulting from a colonoscopy and subsequent care in October 2012 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. The Board finds that further examination and development are needed to determine if these conditions were caused by VA's treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety was rated at 70 percent disabling since September 10, 2007 through April 29, 2015. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms as per the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.