Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has expanded the claim to include all currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, as well as major depressive disorder. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, did not manifest during service or due to a service-connected condition. The evidence was insufficient to establish an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder condition is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found that his current disability level warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's disability severance pay for depression was recouped due to her subsequent service connection, and the appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to clarify the nature and onset of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected pulmonary amyloidosis and depressive disorder. The AOJ must also issue an SOC pertaining to the claim of increased rating for depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressor in service and for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss, as the evidence supports a finding that it was incurred during active duty due to acoustic trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, are not causally related to his active duty service. The evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic idiopathic glomerulonephritis and major depressive disorder, rendered him unemployable prior to November 19, 2013. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's assertions of service in Vietnam are not credible, and there is no evidence to support a finding that he served there. As such, the Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's conditions arose during active service, including from combat experiences and exposure to loud noises.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, or liver disorder in service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling conflicts for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is also granted.