Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as for further development of the claim. The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and adenocarcinoma of the prostate was denied. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from February 25, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are determined to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death and no one has sought substitution.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, a depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, is now moot.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service-connected disabilities or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and credibility findings, requiring an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, has been rated at 70 percent disabling since December 21, 2011, to April 21, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 70 percent effective October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression, dysthymia, and posttraumatic stress disorder, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to April 11, 2007. The back injury is not service-connected and does not affect his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart condition, psychiatric conditions, hernias, neck pain, bone spurs, and joint pain are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and PTSD with alcohol abuse have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, prostate cancer, and hepatitis C, are found to be at least as likely as not preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating was 80% prior to August 1, 2012, the claim is granted for this period.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of his Reserve service records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the assignment of separate disability ratings for arthritis of the right and left feet was dismissed due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error. The RO reduced the two separate 10 percent ratings to one single 10 percent rating for bilateral foot arthritis, effective from November 1, 2013.

The Board found no credible in-service stressors and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 24, 2010. The case was remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the impact of service-connected depression and low back disabilities on the Veteran's ability to function in work-related tasks prior to August 21, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are service-connected due to exposure to military sexual trauma in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression, diabetes mellitus type II, and obesity. The Veteran's depression was rated as 70 percent disabling based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.