Depression decisions — 2018

Service connection for major depression disorder and PTSD is granted. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for status post upper right lobe wedge resection with residual chest pain is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 24, 2016. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder, as well as a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and history of alcohol use disorder is dismissed. The issues pertaining to entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder/depressive disorder NOS did not begin during his military service or be related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder/depressive disorder NOS did not begin during his military service or be related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse due to insufficient evidence, including outdated VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide copies of his representative withdrawal letter and any outstanding VA medical records must be obtained. A new comprehensive VA examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia was rated at 10 percent prior to August 31, 2017. The Veteran is now receiving a 100 percent rating for his left knee since the date of surgery.,The Veteran's left ankle achilles tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since April 15, 1999.

The appeal for service connection of a pulmonary disorder (claimed as asbestos exposure) is dismissed. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied for the period prior to April 28, 2017. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for some issues and the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is also granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hypertension and stroke are both found to be secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, which are found to be related to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and granted it, finding that there is a current diagnosis and a causal relationship to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be further evaluated with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression resulted in occupational and social deficiencies but not total impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating. The claim for an increased rating greater than 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's left thigh abscess is denied as not service-connected. The effective date for the right ankle disability has been granted to August 14, 2008. A rating of 10 percent for painful right ankle surgical scars was granted from August 21, 2015, and a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and MDD. Service connection is also granted for hypothyroidism as secondary to a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.