Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, and awarded a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person, or by reason of being permanently housebound, and to a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service connected disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently meets (or did at any time during the pendency of this appeal) the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disorder, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to military service. The Veteran's in-service stressor must also be verified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his cervical spine condition and service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA examiner will also provide opinions on whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to an in-service stressor, which is supported by credible evidence. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with a focus on whether they are related to his active duty service or specifically to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his major depressive disorder and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including eating disorders and PTSD. The evidence supports that these conditions had their onset in or are otherwise directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed depressive disorder is not service-connected as it does not stem from her active duty, but rather from a motor vehicle accident that occurred after she was no longer in the military.

The Veteran withdrew the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD during his March 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is found to be related to service. The TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer with vagotomy, pylorplasty, appendectomy, and subtotal gastrectomy. The acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) and prostate cancer are not found to be related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from his military hospitalization and to conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his varicose veins. The Veteran also needs additional development regarding allegations of in-service assaults and head injuries.

The Veteran's liver disease is presumed to be due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and service connection for this condition has been granted. The claim for depression as secondary to liver disease was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder NOS is related to his service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder. The Board also finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.