Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to have a level II hearing and speech recognition of 94 percent, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent prior to June 1, 2011, and a 70 percent rating from June 1, 2011. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's major depression and associated symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment was not shown. A 70 percent rating is granted for the period prior to October 4, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verification of claimed stressor events and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hearing loss of the right ear, and depression. The Veteran's low back disability is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. Hearing loss of the right ear was also not shown to be related to service. Depression is not considered to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and her acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to service, including an alleged personal assault. The claim was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and MDD. The evidence received since the December 1974 denial includes VA treatment records noting diagnoses of MDD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder, as well as statements from the Veteran asserting that these diagnoses were predicated on in-service trauma.

The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD are found to be due to substance abuse and not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot and ankle disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a compensable rating for his service-connected fracture of the left fifth metatarsal. The decision also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for right foot and ankle trauma.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case for further evidentiary development. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and depression are now before the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (mixed anxiety depressive disorder).

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), and depressive disorder. The evidence received since the March 2008 decision supports a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination in Israel and obtaining any relevant private treatment records. The Veteran's depressive disorder was last examined by a VA examiner over six years ago, and there is evidence suggesting worsening symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression due to lack of credible in-service stressors. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's lung disability is not rated as compensable on a schedular basis, but his claim for extraschedular evaluation has been remanded.,Service connection for depression secondary to the service-connected calcified pleural plaques disability was granted. The Veteran's chest pain is considered a symptom of his lung disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence has been rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2009. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Anxiety Disorder, NOS with subclinical features of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety, and Depressive Disorder, NOS, is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for his back, wrists, and shoulders conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, were not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.