Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a credible report of military sexual trauma during active duty, and the medical evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety Disorder NOS, and Depressive Disorder NOS is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records from Charleston VAMC.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, anxiety disorder, depression, lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of residuals from a TBI or head injury during service, and the Veteran's current headaches and depression are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to January 23, 2014.,Since January 23, 2014, the Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated as 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but he is granted service connection for depressive disorder. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding his diagnoses and their relationship to service. The Veteran is also required to provide updated treatment records from Dr. Weatherly and Dr. Alvarez, as well as any other relevant healthcare providers.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for PTSD, diabetes mellitus with visual disturbances, and competency to handle disbursement of VA funds was denied. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending due to a remand request. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, IBS, and hyperhidrosis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was found to be manifested by symptoms comparable to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent prior to June 29, 2012. On and after that date, the disability continued to meet these criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeal on the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthralgia. The claims for DVT, depression, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism were all denied as they are not related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and depression, as well as PTSD. The new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has reopened his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the evidence is not sufficient to establish a current disability or link it to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to February 4, 2013.,For the period from February 4, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.