Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from July 18, 2008. The claims for PTSD, right knee disability (secondary to left foot disability), and increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, effective November 26, 2011. The Veteran's depression, skin disorder (seborrheic keratosis), and bladder cancer have not been established as related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression was reduced from a 70 percent to a 30 percent rating, effective January 1, 2017. The reduction was improper as the evidence did not demonstrate material improvement in his condition.,The Veteran's left hip disability had its rating reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent, effective October 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted, and the effective date for his diabetes mellitus service connection award was changed from May 12, 2015 to January 2, 2015 due to clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected psychiatric disorder, heart murmur, right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, or left ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service. The Veteran's TBI claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a head injury in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50% from November 27, 2008 to December 30, 2016.

The Veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and posterior vitreous detachment are not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied her claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depression had its onset during his active service and is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and psychotic features has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of the medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Board found that the reduction in ratings was improper and restored the original 70% rating for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder as of May 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression, chronic headaches, and hematuria are related to his service-connected conditions. The remaining issues of service connection for left arm disability, right arm disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder likely precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.