Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, is rated at 30 percent. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected anxiety disorder NOS was denied as the disability alone does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically a depressive disorder, is caused by his service-connected asthma and tonsillitis. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the weight of evidence is against finding a nexus between any in-service incident, to include mental health treatment, and the Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder with schizophrenic features. The Board also noted that there was no documentation of schizophrenia from within one year of the Veteran's 1981 discharge.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent for his depressive disorder with alcohol abuse in remission.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected conditions, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The appellant's claim for service connection for his psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia, as well as Crohn's disease. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides that would warrant granting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric and right knee condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder and entitlement to service connection for hepatitis.

The Veteran's MDD with generalized anxiety disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating throughout the entire period of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder with PTSD features, depression, and ADHD, finding that these conditions are due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left second toe stress fracture was denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches was granted, but the rating assigned (10%) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency or severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, were not aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that any current mental health issues are more likely related to his long history of alcohol use.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, was not shown to be related to service. His diverticulitis was also not shown to be related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and his other diagnoses, as well as to assess his employability due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder with major depressive disorder, has been rated at 100% since June 17, 2010, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The appeal is currently in process.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS with cognitive deficits to include sleep disorder claimed as a mood disorder and nervous condition is now considered service connected as secondary to his service-connected stomach condition, characterized as non-ulcer dyspepsia and/or irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the stomach condition has been dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.