Depression decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to military service. For substance abuse, the Board determined it resulted from willful misconduct. For hepatitis C, the Board concluded it was due to intravenous drug use rather than in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective March 28, 2012. However, the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine discectomy intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) from March 28, 2012 through November 31, 2014 is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and PTSD as there was no timely appeal filed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified. The Veteran's diagnoses are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary major depression rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective June 1, 2015. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the original 70% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service. The causal relationship between the current disabilities and in-service stressors is established.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hip misalignment with pain, and application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the need for a new PTSD examination, as well as clarification on service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at a 50% disability rating from November 16, 2007 to December 8, 2016 and then increased to 70% effective December 9, 2016. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, claimed as acquired psychological condition due to military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded because the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and did not address her in-service MST.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 1, 2016 was denied. Since then, a rating in excess of 30 percent has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left testicle condition, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, chest pain, and PTSD. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his reported in-service stressors while serving in Iraq.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current mental health conditions and his military service.