Depression decisions — 2015

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse caused or aggravated his sleep apnea, including whether his unwillingness to use his CPAP machine due to claustrophobia has aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service and denied his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and anxiety and depression, finding that there is no probative evidence of current disabilities related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder had its onset during active military service and is granted service connection. The claim for PTSD remains on appeal, as does the claim for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression with psychosis does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his psychiatric symptoms, which do not impair his ability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, Major Depressive Disorder, was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim of service connection for TBI was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. Other issues were either granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a vocational rehabilitation folder and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the evaluation issue.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's depression is considered part and parcel of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of a rating higher than 30 percent for depression prior to February 20, 2014 and a rating higher than 50 percent thereafter, as well as the claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for gynecomastia.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further verification of stressor events and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for the left ankle, and his back and psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to obtain additional evidence, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature of her acquired psychiatric disorder and its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities, and there was no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, is related to service or a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The claim will be returned to the Board after further development.