Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), or obstructive sleep apnea that is related to his active service.,VA examinations and medical opinions indicate no link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability other than posttraumatic stress disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's heart disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Anxiety, Depression) are both found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a DRO review process and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and alcohol abuse, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an eye disability and increased rating for depressive disorder are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for mood disorder. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of confirmed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with this matter and must also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to July 18, 2011 and at 50 percent thereafter. He is also granted a TDIU effective December 17, 2014.,PTSD symptoms include depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, restricted affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining work and social relationships, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, anger and irritability, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, isolation, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 50 percent since April 30, 2010.,The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since January 21, 2011. The VA examiner found that the symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be related to his combat service in Vietnam. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder but granted an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain disability. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability related to military service.

The Veteran's stomach disorder, including GERD and IBS, is not service-connected.,Prior to April 6, 2010, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent. From April 6, 2010 to July 16, 2013, it was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's depression is currently rated as 70 percent from May 24, 2012 and thereafter.,Neurological impairment of the left lower extremity resulted in mild sciatic nerve neuropathy since July 16, 2013. Neurological impairment of the right lower extremity also resulted in mild sciatic nerve neuropathy since that date.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective May 24, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 23, 2009. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as constricted affect, anxious mood, impaired focus and concentration, disturbances of motivation and mood, chronic sleep impairment, recurrent nightmares, panic/anxiety attacks that occur more than once a week, and mild difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded to the RO due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, primarily PTSD and depression, has been found to warrant a 50 percent initial evaluation. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has found the VA examination insufficient to adjudicate the claim on appeal and has ordered further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.