Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety is related to his in-service injury, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine the combined impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease and depression are not service connected. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is found to be related to his military service, specifically witnessing the Ramstein Airshow Disaster in 1988. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating since April 18, 2014.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are found to be causally related to his service-connected left testicular atrophy, specifically due to the infertility resulting from his service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors, including a search and rescue operation involving drowning children, were not verified. As such, service connection for PTSD could not be established.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression from November 21, 2003, through June 1, 2010, produced significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected depression was granted, and he is now receiving a 50 percent rating effective March 23, 2006. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder(s). The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, did not have its onset during service or due to a service-connected condition. The Board also determined that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma (MST). As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been due to his military service. The Board found no medical evidence linking the current DDD to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective February 19, 2013. His neuropathy of the left lower extremity and left upper extremity have also been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is now entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance/housebound examination. The claims for increased ratings will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in 1996, but reopened and granted effective from May 26, 1995.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule him for new VA examinations to address the current nature and severity of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder and PTSD are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.