Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and there are no unusual or exceptional disability factors warranting referral of the Veteran's claim for TDIU. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim and entitlement to TDIU is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including those from the Wyoming Army National Guard regarding ACDUTRA dates. The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and depression is also being considered as new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The Board is unable to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis based on his reported stressors due to insufficient evidence and remanded instructions were not followed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, MDD, and alcohol dependence are related to his service, specifically the in-service stressors involving racial harassment. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for depression secondary to bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent disabling, the highest possible rating. The Board also found that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, secondary to an in-service personal assault, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD and established a link between the current symptoms and the claimed stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and finds no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a new opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated his current depression.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for depressive disorder and cervical spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The claim for a skin disability claimed as chloracne was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with mild depressive disorder has not resulted in symptoms demonstrating or approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, thus the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's skin disability and acquired psychiatric disorder were not shown to have onset during service or be related to service, including as secondary to service-connected alopecia. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current left knee condition and his service-connected right knee disability. The stomach disability is also found to be secondary to medications used for treatment of service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for depression was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU is denied as the earliest possible effective date he may receive is August 20, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders and low back disorder.