Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and chronic major depression was denied as her claimed conditions are not related to any period of active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is inextricably intertwined with the informal claim for an increased rating for service-connected depression. The RO must adjudicate both claims before proceeding further.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the existence of PTSD and the etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including whether they are related to service.

The Board found that the non-VA medical treatment provided on June 25, 2009 was not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment. Therefore, payment or reimbursement of the expenses is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her claimed conditions and theories of service connection.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the feet is found to be a complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and thus, service connection for that disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since July 14, 2004 and the Board has granted a TDIU throughout the rating period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including securing VA and private psychiatric treatment records. The Veteran is advised to provide releases for any missing records.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and deck logs from the USS Merrill. The Veteran's in-service stressor will also be evaluated.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disability are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent. The VA examiner found no evidence of occupational or social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Board has found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for PTSD and MDD, with the diagnosis being presumed due to combat-related stressors. The Veteran's symptoms are consistent with the criteria for these diagnoses.

The Board has determined that further examination is needed to evaluate the Veteran's current depression and lumbar spine symptoms, as well as his service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent rating, but no more. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied. Service connection for the claimed back disability and right ankle disability were also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted as service connected due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent since March 22, 2012. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating for either period.