Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to her active duty service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression has been productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the rating period. The Board finds that a 50 percent disability rating is warranted for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of all diagnosed Axis I psychiatric disorders and any private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression NOS, and generalized anxiety disorder), finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The decision found that equitable tolling did not apply and that the Veteran was capable of rational thought during the period in question.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinions and the need to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of an acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, service connection for any psychiatric disability was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder, which could be attributed to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or back disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The psychiatric disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression is service connected. The issue of service connection for GERD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension as secondary to that disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a hearing.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 12, 2016. He also received a TDIU rating effective March 7, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and provide a VA examination for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, is being remanded due to the Veteran's inability to travel for a hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased evaluation for PTSD, a retroactive effective date for the 70 percent rating, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant SSA records and to resend the VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.