Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD with depression and gastrointestinal condition, including GERD or acid reflux, are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his adjustment disorder with anxiety (also diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with panic disorder), finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. Other conditions are also found to have a link to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as there is no evidence of three successive doses of ultraviolet light therapy treatment on April 2, 2010 and the additional disability did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or error.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain another VA psychiatric examination and opinion, as the previous one was deemed inadequate. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with depression and anxiety, and gastroenteritis has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar calluses have been rated at 50 percent since October 2015, and his TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.,His acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) is not attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his military service, including being in fear of enemy fire during service in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, has been rated at 30 percent based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating from 30% to 10% for restrictive lung disease, effective October 1, 2012. The remaining claims are addressed in a separate remand.

The Board finds that the reduction of the rating for Traumatic Brain Injury from 70% to 10%, effective October 1, 2012, was proper as it did not result in a reduction of compensation payments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depression, is etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and degenerative joint diseases, do not render him unemployable as he is currently employed.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The case will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) after obtaining additional information about his stressors and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his service-connected acne and acne scar residuals, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is shown to have caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 60 percent, and his major depression secondary to service-connected dermatitis is granted. The TDIU issue remains pending.