Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but granted service connection for a left collar bone disability and left shoulder degenerative changes. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, single episode, are denied as there is no evidence of improvement in the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, inguinal hernia, psychiatric disorders, and dyslipidemia. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected and related to in-service noise exposure.,Major depressive disorder with anxious distress features is service-connected and related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back injury, right knee injury, forehead scar, jungle rot, and TBI are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incident that could be linked to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder) is granted. The Board finds the Veteran likely sustained a mild traumatic brain injury during service which contributed to his diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder (later recharacterized as PTSD) is denied because the earliest date of claim was August 22, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a right wrist disorder, gastritis, prostate disorder, and major depressive disorder due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 30 percent rating as of June 25, 2018. The appeal was granted for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, have been denied as they are not shown to be due to exposure to herbicides or any other in-service event.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent disabling from September 16, 2009 to April 6, 2012 and entitlement to Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include neurocognitive and major depressive disorders. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

Service connection for depressive disorder with anxious distress features and migraines has been granted.,Service connection for chronic sleep impairment is denied.

The Veteran's other specified trauma related disorder is granted as service connected. The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are not granted as service connected.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but not higher, due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened and granted, with an initial disability rating of 70 percent effective October 25, 2017.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU on a schedular basis due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, sleep apnea, and depression due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by the Veteran, which suggests that his PTSD and major depressive disorder may be related to in-service harassment and a personal assault. The claim is being returned for further evaluation.

Entitlement to an initial rating of 100 percent for a depressive disorder is granted, subject to the regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,Entitlement to an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted, subject to the regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.