Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, but has determined that these claims are not granted on their merits.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol dependence has been found to cause occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran is currently employed full-time and earning a salary above the poverty threshold, thus denying entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and neurological disorders, render him unemployable. The Board finds that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression and mood disorder as secondary to his spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical examination of his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and PTSD have been rated at 70 percent since March 26, 2015, reflecting the most severe level of impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 17, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have consistently approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pains and an increased evaluation for his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, including a mood disorder and previous diagnoses of chronic adjustment reaction and depression. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's stroke, depressive disorder, and bilateral lower extremity condition are not related to his service-connected coronary atherosclerosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and paranoid disorder. The evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS remains pending. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by chest pain during the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but is unable to make a determination on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service due to insufficient evidence regarding its pre-service existence and aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse the April 16, 2013 decision denying an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in their decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.