Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, right and left wrist disorders, sleep disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, actinic keratosis, nasal polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder), eye disorder (vitreous syneresis, floaters, panniculi), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hernia, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence that would support the claims.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The diagnosis of PTSD and depression are based on valid stressors related to military sexual trauma (MST) during basic training and advanced individual training.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the case is remanded to determine if any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and secondary substance abuse, is related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder, has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because he is currently employed and has not demonstrated that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU, finding that there is not enough evidence to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted based on his service-connected major depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been granted, with some changes in the effective dates and ratings assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety and depression, finding that the Veteran's experiences during military service caused his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its determination regarding the severance of service connection for depressive disorder with alcohol abuse. The Veteran's lay assertions about the onset of his psychiatric disorder are not addressed in the current decision.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of depressive disorder with mixed features as there is no longer a case or controversy to resolve due to its grant in December 2019. The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for knee, ankle, and lower extremity disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was rated at 50% prior to December 4, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the PTSD with depression is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests for updated VA treatment records, a VA mental disorders examination at the Decatur VAMC, and readjudication of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety/depression, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the need for VA examinations and additional records. The Veteran's service connection claims related to head injuries and persistent depressive disorder are being reviewed.