Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental VA opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his right eye cataract claim has been withdrawn. The major depression and TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability, secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder did not meet the criteria for an increased rating from November 27, 2008 to December 30, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral cataracts, and acquired psychiatric disability are service-connected. The Board also found no evidence of peripheral vascular disease, diabetic cystopathy, or gastroparesis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any low back disorders are the result of his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his in-service symptoms, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his service and have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, have been denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that his diagnosed major depressive disorder is related to service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disability, which was granted on January 28, 2011. The Board finds that this is the earliest date after the May 2007 rating decision where the Veteran expressed intent to reopen his claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not attributable to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression have been rated at 30 percent prior to June 14, 2013. The symptoms include occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service. As a result, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is rendered moot and dismissed.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to December 14, 2015, and a 50 percent rating thereafter. The other issues remained in appellate status.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious stress and panic attacks and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, has been rated at 70 percent since February 12, 2010. The rating is granted as the evidence shows a significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran seeks service connection for breathing condition (emphysema), coronary artery disease, and depression. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the nature of his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and panic disorder. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including PTSD and prostate disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, consisting of PTSD and a depressive disorder, did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to October 21, 2015. After this date, the condition resulted in such impairment but was still not severe enough for a higher rating.

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