Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including variously diagnosed conditions such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was incurred during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including a major depressive disorder and mood disorder, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder. Therefore, the appeal for service connection on this basis is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, service connection is denied.

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

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service-connected PTSD and TDIU ratings. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70% evaluation for PTSD are met as of April 25, 2006, but does not find evidence to support an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective from March 31, 2015. The decision also found service connection for right leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since August 5, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective September 2014, and the issue of TDIU to include on an extraschedular basis is referred for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than persistent depressive disorder. The initial rating of 40% for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, effective July 31, 2006. Service connection for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for hepatitis C. The Veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder due to any incident of his active duty service.

The Board found that the effective date for the grant of service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety cannot be earlier than July 19, 2010 as there was no informal claim received within one year after separation from military service in September 30, 2007. The Veteran's initial informal claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was filed on July 19, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his scars claim.

The Veteran's claim for pension benefits was denied as his income exceeded the maximum allowable pension rate. For issues related to depression and thoracolumbar spine disability, the Board found that the symptoms were contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. He is diagnosed with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including depression, is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,His right knee strain is determined to have been incurred during active service.,DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine are also found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has PTSD, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for major depressive disorder or PTSD, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service and VA examinations did not provide an etiological opinion.