Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an unspecified depressive disorder and granted it, as new evidence received since the last denial supports a finding that the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for fibromyalgia has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for hypertension, vertigo, sleep apnea, diabetes, PTSD, depression, and headaches are being remanded for further development.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence linking current hypertension to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for various conditions, including bone islands, red blood cell condition, high liver levels, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), high muscle enzymes, joint pain, teeth loss, back and spinal degeneration, sinusitis, asthma, fungus of the feet, deformity of the toes, left foot, deformity of the toes, right foot, and sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depressive disorder, is granted. The claim for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board has determined that a statement of the case must be issued due to the timely notice of disagreement and the need to address this issue.

The Veteran's claim of increasing his initial rating for service-connected unspecified major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to consider new evidence and readjudicate the case.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and severe depression, finding that the Veteran's reported religious harassment during service is sufficient to establish a stressor. The diagnosis of PTSD was confirmed by medical evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, categorized as anxiety disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks, is rated at 50% prior to September 16, 2008, and remains at that rating from that date. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that a more current examination is needed for the Veteran's major depressive disorder and hypertension, as well as an opinion regarding whether the Veteran can secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU benefits related to his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and paranoia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 14, 2015 and May 11, 2016 for service connection due to lack of formal or informal claims before those dates. The case is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of an effective date prior to May 11, 2016.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, personality disorder, and impulse control disorder. The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine the etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The Veteran's conditions include hypertension, gout of the feet, anemia, splenomegaly, onychomycosis, psychiatric disability, left shoulder condition, right thumb disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and a sebaceous cyst.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted service connection. The left knee, right knee, sleep, bilateral hearing loss, missing teeth, and hypertension claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, which was first diagnosed in February 2004, is caused or aggravated by his use of opioid medications for chronic pain. As this condition is secondary to a service-connected depression, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective June 5, 2013. The Board found the symptoms more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating for MDD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, may be related to his service-connected physical disability and requires further examination for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and major depressive disorder has been denied.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence of these conditions.