Depression decisions — 2016

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the character of his discharge barred him from receiving VA benefits other than health care under Chapter 17. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left shoulder and hip disabilities, and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for depression and has assigned a 10% disability rating effective December 22, 2016. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hand will be rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The SSA records, including all adjudications and underlying records, must be associated with the Veteran's file.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective May 14, 2007. The claim for increased rating of low back strain was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service stressor events are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD and is requesting additional development to confirm this. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and major depression, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2012.

The Veteran's depression is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral flat feet, lumbosacral myositis and/or left shoulder tendinitis, and thus he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, a 100% rating for major depression, and increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hypertension. The issue of TDIU based solely on the service-connected lumbar spine disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's initial rating of 30 percent for his psychiatric disability from August 20, 2004 through May 6, 2008 is upheld. The condition resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, depression and related alcohol use disorder. The Board finds that these conditions are as likely as not related to his military service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his relocation and the need for a new hearing date. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar segment of the spine, and right foot disability are still pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder NOS with panic attacks, schizophrenic disorder residual types with anxiety and somatizations, and schizophrenia undifferentiated type chronic, has been rated at 70 percent since February 22, 1999. This rating is effective as of the date of the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder (claimed as manic depression and posttraumatic stress disorder).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from November 16, 2008 to April 24, 2012. The initial compensable evaluations for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability are denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension and depression have been aggravated by her service-connected TBI with migraine headaches and PTSD, thus granting both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum to a previous VA opinion. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD but the specific stressors are unclear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA social and industrial survey to assess his employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities.