Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service and therefore denied his claims.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service connected, and his depression with chronic pain syndrome is presumed due to a service-connected right hip stress fracture. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on either condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorders is dismissed as the October 2000 decision granting such a rating was final.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 13, 2013. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as nightmares, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, intrusive thoughts, constricted affect, feelings of anger, exaggerated startle response, depression, irritability, concentration and memory problems, and impairment of relationships with others.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability was not incurred in active service and denied his claim. The psychiatric disability, specifically adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, is considered to be related to post-service stressors rather than service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain in-service mental health records from Evans Army Hospital at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding service treatment records and clarification of a VA examiner's opinions.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for depression was granted at a 30 percent rating, effective June 4, 2010. The appeal related to the evaluation of his service-connected depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent. The evidence showed some symptoms consistent with this level of disability but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 23, 2010, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability, a compensable rating for right wrist arthralgia before December 27, 2012, and an increased rating for GAD and MDD after that date. The Board found no evidence linking any current stomach or wrist conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the last final decision does not relate specifically to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The case is being remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Disorder. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obsessive-compulsive disorder had its onset during active service and continues to persist, with no evidence of aggravation or other factors affecting its continuity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, has been rated at 30 percent. The Board determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent due to more severe symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and difficulty sleeping.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.