Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, is related to his combat service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's depression and alcohol use disorder are found to be caused by his PTSD. His lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's headaches were also not linked to his military service. The examiner noted that the onset of his headache symptoms occurred after a 1992 work injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder, depression, and panic disorder had their onset in service and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized by avoidance, irritability, intermittent suicidal ideation, and some occupational and social impairment, is currently rated at 50 percent under the general rating formula for mental disorders. The right knee disability has been rated based on limitation of motion and semilunar cartilage injury. The pes planus has been rated as 30 percent prior to September 6, 2011, and 50 percent thereafter. GERD is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to December 30, 2009 was manifested by symptoms of mild impairment in social and occupational functioning. The current rating reflects the severity of his disability at that time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the 106th General Hospital and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and MDD was denied as there is no evidence that she filed a formal or informal claim prior to July 29, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD was denied based on the current symptomatology not meeting criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 12, 2010 was denied as her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The VA reduced the appellant's rating for depressive disorder from 100% to 0%, effective October 1, 2010, due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying a claimed PTSD stressor. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pelvic disorder has been dismissed as the claim is moot due to the grant of service connection in a February 2015 rating decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of myotonic dystrophy, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety/depression), gastrointestinal disorder (chronic pancreatitis), dermatological and/or allergic disorder affecting the bilateral hands, and neurological disorder (paralysis agitans). The appeals are granted.

The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion to address the Veteran's diagnoses of depression and ADHD, as well as whether they pre-existed service or were aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including reactive depression and parasomnia. The evidence did not support a finding that any current psychiatric condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, rash on penis (claimed as genital herpes), circumcision of phimosis due to venereal warts, penis, osteophytes in the lumbar spine, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing documents in his electronic claims file, including those from prior to September 2011. He has requested a videoconference hearing before the Board at the Los Angeles, California RO.