Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, a 100% rating for major depression, and increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hypertension. The issue of TDIU based solely on the service-connected lumbar spine disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's initial rating of 30 percent for his psychiatric disability from August 20, 2004 through May 6, 2008 is upheld. The condition resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, depression and related alcohol use disorder. The Board finds that these conditions are as likely as not related to his military service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his relocation and the need for a new hearing date. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar segment of the spine, and right foot disability are still pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder NOS with panic attacks, schizophrenic disorder residual types with anxiety and somatizations, and schizophrenia undifferentiated type chronic, has been rated at 70 percent since February 22, 1999. This rating is effective as of the date of the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder (claimed as manic depression and posttraumatic stress disorder).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from November 16, 2008 to April 24, 2012. The initial compensable evaluations for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability are denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension and depression have been aggravated by her service-connected TBI with migraine headaches and PTSD, thus granting both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum to a previous VA opinion. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD but the specific stressors are unclear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA social and industrial survey to assess his employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, is rated at 30 percent. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected anxiety disorder NOS was denied as the disability alone does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically a depressive disorder, is caused by his service-connected asthma and tonsillitis. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the weight of evidence is against finding a nexus between any in-service incident, to include mental health treatment, and the Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder with schizophrenic features. The Board also noted that there was no documentation of schizophrenia from within one year of the Veteran's 1981 discharge.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent for his depressive disorder with alcohol abuse in remission.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected conditions, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The appellant's claim for service connection for his psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia, as well as Crohn's disease. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides that would warrant granting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric and right knee condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder and entitlement to service connection for hepatitis.