Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from Biloxi, Mississippi. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and Hepatitis C were denied. The claim for an increased disability rating for his low back condition was granted with an effective date of August 21, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have resulted in no more than a 10 percent disability rating, and his headaches are separately rated. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI or a compensable initial disability rating for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with major depression and panic disorder, and agoraphobia is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The appeal for TDIU remains on hold until the increased rating issue is resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining additional medical clarification and any outstanding records from SSA.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol abuse have been rated at 50 percent since March 1, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and low back disability are found to have begun in service, with no evidence of pre-service onset or intervening events that would warrant reopening the claims. Both conditions are considered direct service connection cases.,Service records document the Veteran's complaints of psychiatric symptoms during active duty, including insomnia and depression, as well as her current diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Her low back disability is also linked to in-service injuries, with no evidence of pre-service onset or intervening events that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen her previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD with depressive disorder NOS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim as there is no evidence showing a link between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, stroke residuals, major depression, obesity, diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and a right leg/right foot disorder. The decision is based on the lack of evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of additional evidence, including a VA examination report from August 2016. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment since October 23, 2008. The Board has determined that a 100 percent disability rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment prior to February 20, 2014. On and after January 29, 2013 through February 19, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD has met the criteria for a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 30 percent for his depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the notice of disagreement to the January 2008 rating decision, which denied an increased rating for depressive disorder, was not timely filed within one year from the date of the decision.