Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the onset and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to March 1, 2012, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder is not related to his active service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence does not establish a stressor related to military service, and there is no credible supporting evidence of the alleged non-combat stressor. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and effective dates were all denied. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2009. His Major Depressive Disorder has also been granted a 70 percent rating effective August 12, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it. The other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for the claimed respiratory and psychiatric disabilities, as well as a disability of numbness and paralysis of the left foot. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's attorney submitted a timely substantive appeal on June 4, 2012 for the denial of service connection for schizoaffective disorder. The Board finds that this appeal was valid and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his service in Korea, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted.

The Board denied entitlement to higher disability ratings for right patellofemoral pain syndrome and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's right patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated as noncompensable due to painful motion, but not limited to a compensable degree.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in severe impairment in his ability to obtain and retain employment since April 2006.,Prior to April 2006, the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

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

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center Southside were not reimbursable because the services were not authorized in advance by VA and there was no emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as well as attempts to obtain any outstanding medical records. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.