Depression decisions — 2016

The Board found that a chronic thoracolumbar spine disability was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service and denied the claim. The acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, is also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, left ear hearing loss, and prostate cancer. The acquired psychiatric disability is attributed to service, left ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to service exposure, and prostate cancer is linked to in-service firefighting duties.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 9, 2009. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this date has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression. The case is REMANDED to obtain SSA disability records and VA treatment records from Benton Harbor and Battle Creek facilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for anxiety and depression, finding new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran met all criteria including a diagnosis of PTSD, a link to his Gulf War service, and credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor. As such, the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a PTSD claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes symptoms of memory loss and speech impairment, is service-connected as secondary to his insomnia. The VA has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and the collective evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities, in concert, preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder. The Veteran experienced symptoms of anxiety during service and his current diagnoses are linked to his experiences aboard the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

The Board has ordered the VA to reconsider the claim for service connection for PTSD, considering a new regulation. The Veteran's condition is still under review and no rating or effective date has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's cannabis use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder comprised of major depression and PTSD did not manifest the required occupational and social impairment for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent during the periods prior to May 16, 2008, and from May 27, 2009, to June 2, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are not service-connected due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran was granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major depressive disorder with polysubstance dependence and substance induced mood disorder), but denied service connection for a throat disability and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal must be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a new VA examination to assess his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his psychiatric disorder is dismissed as a matter of law.