Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his in-service stressor of witnessing a fellow service member catch fire while working on a vehicle, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the disability rating for depression with alcohol abuse, associated with prostate cancer. As a result, the Board dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's rating for rheumatoid arthritis was restored from a reduced 40% to the original 60%. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis affecting his hips and hands. The low back disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability that is attributable to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 29, 2009, for his service-connected anxiety disorder. The decision stated that there was no evidence showing a claim or appeal prior to this date and that the original denial of depression became final in May 2004.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, PTSD, broken right leg, right heel injury, left heel injury, and bilateral foot discoloration are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case and scheduling of a travel board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and issues related to her current address. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination at a VA Medical Center near her current residence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is related to her service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating, in excess of 30 percent, for major depressive disorder associated with duodenal ulcer disorder.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder were granted a rating of 30 percent prior to June 29, 2010, and in excess of 50 percent from June 29, 2010. The claim for PTSD was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as major depressive disorder and left shoulder arthritis. The Veteran's depression is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his military service, while the left shoulder arthritis is also found to be at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders (depression and generalized anxiety disorder) are not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 17, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, were not related to service or any incident of service origin.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring all relevant information is considered before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2007. The Board finds that a higher initial rating of 70 percent is warranted as the evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disabilities, including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee and foot condition, depression, asthma, food poisoning, a gunshot wound to the left leg due to the right hand as secondary to bilateral hand condition, anxiety, a bilateral arm condition, a bilateral leg condition, a bilateral hand condition, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, urinary retention, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent since January 24, 2015. The Board has granted an increased rating for this condition.