Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 50 percent, effective from August 2010. He also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, is related to military sexual trauma experienced during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, due to or otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current neck disabilities are at least as likely as not related to an injury during his 1996 period of active duty for training.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are found to be due to his active naval service and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist arthralgia and dysthymic disorder. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the assignment of initial ratings.

The Veteran is entitled to reimbursement or payment for the costs of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a period of hospitalization from March 14 to March 20, 2012, at McLaren Lapeer Regional Medical Center due to a medical emergency involving a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain private treatment records, personnel records, and VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate April 2013 VA examination and a need to clarify its conclusions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), are found to be related to his service and granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), but denied the claim on the merits. The cervical spine disorder claim was not addressed in this decision.

PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 17, 2015 and increased to 50 percent thereafter.,Cervical spine strain was rated at noncompensable prior to September 16, 2015 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.,Thoracic/lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 16, 2015 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and major depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of depressive disorder prior to September 16, 2013, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD and whether service connection is warranted. The issue of atrial fibrillation will be addressed by issuing a SOC.

The Veteran meets the service requirements for Vietnam service and is permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected disability not due to his willful misconduct. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, relates to service. The claim is granted.