Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of stress fracture of the left leg, or any other claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis in accordance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, has worsened. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and alcohol abuse is as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a stomach disorder, including psychophysiological GI reaction and granted a TDIU. The claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, NOS, and hemorrhoids and anal fissure are remanded due to the Veteran's timely notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his chest scar and donor scar are each rated at 10 percent. The appeals for compensable evaluations have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service connection claims and a need for additional evidence regarding radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge due to the Acting VLJ who held the previous hearing no longer being employed at the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder warrants a staged rating of 70 percent prior to October 11, 2007, and no higher than 50 percent from that date to March 2, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and determining whether the Veteran is receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The AOJ must consider all evidence of record in readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for depressive disorder prior to June 29, 2012 was granted at a 30 percent rating. From June 29, 2012, the Veteran's evaluation was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are found to be related to a personal assault he experienced during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of a left elbow disability, an acquired psychiatric disability other than major depressive disorder, and TDIU. His claim for increased evaluation of major depressive disorder was granted with a rating of 70%. Service connection for hypertension secondary to major depressive disorder was granted.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher ratings for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as TDIU, will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and depression) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, a 30 percent rating for status post total knee replacement of the right knee, or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The psychiatric disability was found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 12, 2013, but did meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating as of that date.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her son's death, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and Dependents' Educational Assistance. The Veteran was not found to have a service-connected disability that caused or substantially contributed to his suicide.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or a link to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD based on personal assault, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.