Depression decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for panic disorder with agoraphobia, anxiety disorder, PTSD and depression. The case is remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at Jackson RO.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and depression as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's heart disease was not related to his near drowning episode in service, but is due to smoking history. His COPD is also due to smoking history. The Board found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining all outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including rating adjustments for various disabilities, an effective date claim for TDIU, and a need for additional medical examinations. The case is being remanded to obtain these necessary steps.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back arthritis was denied in October 1995 and reopened due to new evidence. The Board has now granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. His major depressive disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for the adjustment disorder, as well as service connection for a right ankle and foot disability, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the appellant's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his ACDUTRA service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's cystic kidney disease was granted an initial noncompensable rating, but a compensable rating of 30% is assigned. Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to April 4, 2005, and as of June 1, 2005. The current rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as there is no basis to assign an earlier effective date under the law.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and panic disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to November 8, 2013. The left great toe disability has been rated as non-compensable.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia and depression, not otherwise specified. The appeal was remanded multiple times due to incomplete records and lack of response from various medical facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolysis and depressive disorder are service connected, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected spondylolysis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric and leg movement disabilities.

The Board found that a major depressive disorder incurred during service is entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's cluster headaches are found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disorder, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His depression claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression was denied, as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation. The effective date of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was granted but no earlier than August 24, 2010.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to January 2, 2014 was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent.