Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by symptoms of throat pain and irritation, to include GERD, and to include as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's discharge from service was due to her service-connected major depressive disorder, allowing her basic eligibility for educational assistance benefits under both the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to her military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination regarding his back disability secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse in early remission has worsened since his last VA examination. The Board finds that a more contemporaneous medical examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, OSA, and headache disability. The effective dates are not specified as the claims were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the Veteran's current MDD is at least as likely as not causally related to her military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the November 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a depressive disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sarcoidosis and/or lung disorders, and essential tremors (claimed as Parkinson's Disease).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are found to be related to their service in Somalia. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 17, 2008 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia was denied. The Board found that there were no new claims filed before this decision and that the July 2004 rating decision became final.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scars of the bilateral shoulders and base of the neck was denied, but he was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previous denial of service connection for PTSD and the grant of service connection for depressive disorder was granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the reopening of the PTSD claim, but denied both PTSD and depressive disorder as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression did not render him unemployable prior to July 21, 2015. From October 20, 2015, his service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss also did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's right acromial clavicle separation, combined with his service-connected back disability and mental disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation after his 1984 injury. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Services for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU on an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the need for further examination and review of records, particularly regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are found to be related to his military service.