Depression decisions — 2016

The Board found that the character of the Veteran's service from April 5, 1971 to August 6, 1973 is not a bar to VA benefits due to compelling circumstances. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a link between the current psychiatric symptoms and military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms of severity, frequency, and duration most nearly approximating the 70 percent rating criteria. The Veteran is therefore granted a 70 percent initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder, with both conditions being related to military sexual trauma experienced during his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder and psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during her active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

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

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric condition that is shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to consider other diagnosed conditions and ensure all relevant evidence has been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirement of permanent and total disability. The RO proposed to reduce his 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, but a TDIU rating has been granted. The case is being remanded to determine if the current severity of his service-connected disabilities are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and anxiety disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed incidents of military sexual trauma or a causal relationship between any diagnosed conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU due to one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more, and his cognitive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records since July 2015 and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The claim will be considered in light of all evidence added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 70 percent, but the Board found that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as recurrent major depression, is attributable to his service-connected low back disability. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder; an eye disorder (including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317); arthritis; a neck disorder other than arthritis; headaches; and a right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue as a symptom of service-connected IBS. The Veteran's hysterectomy and depression claims are remanded due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and temporary total evaluations due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days or need for convalescence following a colectomy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's diverticulitis arose during service or was related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.