Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and dysthymic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified anxiety, and major depressive disorder. This includes obtaining treatment records from the Vet Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, scheduling a VA examination, and providing an etiological opinion regarding the nature and origin of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 6, 2016. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was incurred in active service due to a sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his military service records and stressor verification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and verification of his claimed stressor.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of her case.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with depression and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is pending for Throat Cancer, Thrombocytopenia, and Pseudophakia, Status-post Bilateral Cataract Removal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the verification of a stressor and additional examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is due to his service-connected TBI. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral eye disability and left knee disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression and sinusitis, as well as service connection for a foot disorder (hammertoes), were denied by the Board. The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under VA regulations. The Board finds that her symptoms and unemployability due to mental illness more closely approximate a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar, cervical, and left shoulder disabilities. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new addendum opinion is needed from the examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disability in service or for many years thereafter, and there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to service. The claim is denied.