Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records and clarifying the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between service and current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for another VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that there is no current psychiatric disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and tremors. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor. Service connection for sleep apnea is moot as it has been granted by a prior rating decision. Service connection for tremors was also denied as there was no direct link between the condition and service.

Prior to June 26, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, despite generally functioning satisfactorily with routine behavior.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined and for additional development of his claims due to incarceration, as well as clarification on whether he is available for a VA examination at a VA medical center or if he is currently incarcerated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is not etiologically related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service personal assault or witnessed suicide attempts, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are not considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a psychosis that manifested to a compensable level within one year of the Veteran's discharge from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his in-service personal assault. However, there is also evidence suggesting these conditions may not be directly linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and TDIU due to his non-compensable service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's major depression with suicidal tendencies and anxiety are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2012. The rating was granted based on the severity of his PTSD symptoms which included irritability, sleep problems, social and activity avoidance, increased alcohol use, decreased participation in previously enjoyable activities, and frequent distressing recollections about Vietnam experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current PTSD with depressive disorder, as there are no recent medical records available. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.