Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the increased rating for depressive disorder and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had an anxiety disorder during his military service which was exacerbated by events of service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining VET CENTER records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's depression symptoms and disability picture are of the level of severity contemplated by a 50 percent disability rating, which contemplates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that his depression meets or approximates the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is found to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and depression has been granted, effective from February 23, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and is now pending before the Board.,Her claim for service connection for psychiatric disability (claimed as depression) has also been reopened. The Board finds that she has PTSD related to her service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it as secondary to a service-connected disability. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure during service, effective from September 1972 when the Veteran visited Vietnam. The right leg disability is not separately service connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence now shows a current diagnosis of major depression disorder and other mental health conditions that are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and PTSD have been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection in March 2010. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, as they are consistent with a 30 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues regarding an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and a TDIU. The Board finds that additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to evaluate his current PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, respiratory problems, and depression with anxiety prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran died from anoxic brain injury due to aspiration of vomit while under the influence of multiple medications taken for chronic pain, which as likely as not resulted from service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The Board finds that service connection is granted for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder and her service-connected dermatitis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression that she believes was caused or worsened by her service-connected skin condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection. The preponderance of evidence indicated his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders were not present in service or for many years thereafter, and were not shown to be etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the requested development has not been completed and has therefore remanded the case for further action.