Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) and an increased rating for right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of any other condition beyond alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, not otherwise specified, and anxiety. The other issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder was granted, but a remand is required due to lack of current findings and updated treatment records. The TDIU claim is also before the Board as part of the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction to include as secondary to service-connected benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The VA is instructed to verify all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA and obtain any outstanding service treatment or personnel records. They are also asked to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriately qualified examiner to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. Service connection for a depressive disorder is granted, but service connection for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal was not decided on the merits of his service connection claims, as they were remanded for further evaluation. The appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is related to his in-service experiences and stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to topical medications and Attends protective underwear were denied. However, the Veteran was granted a clothing allowance for using a back and abdominal brace due to her umbilical hernia disability.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and anxiety and depression (secondary to tinnitus) as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus between the disabilities and service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke is stayed due to the unresolved legal issue regarding herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depressive disorder has been reopened, but denied. The TBI was resolved within a few days after the 1964 incident, and there are no current residuals of the TBI.,Service connection is granted for depressive disorder as it is proximately due to service-connected asbestosis related to pleural disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability (other than depressive disorder) to include PTSD at the September 2015 hearing. The Board dismissed this appeal as it was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and MDD due to MST, finding that new evidence supports her claims. The Board also found that she is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral great toes, bilateral ankle disability, lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected arterial reconstruction left lower extremity, and bilateral hip disability as secondary to service-connected arterial reconstruction left lower extremity have been denied. The right knee disability claim has not met the criteria for a rating more than 10 percent.,The Veteran's depression claim has not met the criteria for a rating more than 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive and generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertensive heart disease, instability of the left knee, limitation of motion of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.