Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD due to MST with depression and anxiety attacks. The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, back condition with sciatica, and non-service connected pension are dismissed as she withdrew these issues from appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not causally related to her active duty service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a BVA hearing at his local VA office. The issues of increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have not been shown to present a disability picture that warrants an increased rating beyond 70 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded for further development, including verification of a stressor event in service and an examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Veteran's chronically recurrent episodes of blurred vision are caused by medications taken for his service-connected right knee disability, and the Board has determined that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder NOS, and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide an updated VA examination, and consider all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of recurrent major depressive disorder with anxiety features is denied as the earliest date of entitlement precedes the date of the reopened claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination to determine if the appellant has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a mental health examination by a licensed examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety and depression are etiologically related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were found to have their onset during active service, and he is currently assigned a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric disability claim was broadened to include PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and to provide the necessary medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected depression has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is due to his military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features is denied. The effective date cannot be prior to May 22, 2012 as the original claim was received on that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied and is still on appeal. The RO awarded service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder (previously diagnosed as bipolar disorder) effective in February 2011, resulting in a net award of $30,243 to the Veteran. The appellant was granted attorney/agent fees for past-due benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his Crohn's disease and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show any current symptoms of a psychiatric disorder that would warrant higher disability ratings.