Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, pain disorder and insomnia has been denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for residuals of cold injury is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety attacks and depression were denied. The claim for hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable rating. No new evidence was received to reopen the PTSD claim within one year of its denial in October 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional notice and evidence, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, NOS, is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the statutory requirements for a TDIU as they combine to be 40 percent disabling, which is less than the minimum schedular criteria required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, with consideration of his history of mental trauma in service and hospitalization for heart problems.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected skin disabilities. The Veteran also received initial compensable ratings for his tinea cruris and lichen simplex chronicus, lumbar back and medial buttocks, with scarring, and dyshidrotic eczema of the feet.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a skin condition are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Depression, was rated at a 50 percent prior to November 2, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent on and after November 2, 2011 has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to assess the etiologies of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder and depressive disorder. The examiner must consider the hazing incident in August 1981 as a potential stressor.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his depression is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, and tinnitus. The issue of a separate compensable rating for scar residuals of the cervical spine disability and initial compensable rating for chronic headaches associated with cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which approximates the criteria for such impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Recurrent Major Depression, were incurred during his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is found to be secondary to his service-connected nodulocystic acne disability. The issue of a higher rating for the nodulocystic acne prior to June 10, 2011, and from that date onward remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically headaches and right eye disability. Therefore, service connection for depression was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required before service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder with major depression and PTSD, from July 1, 2005 to January 5, 2010, has been withdrawn. The issue of TDIU prior to July 1, 2005 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the VA Office of Inspector General investigation report and an addendum medical statement.