Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety reaction, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claim and TDIU claim, as both issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in June 2015 was inadequate and remands the case for a supplemental medical opinion to address whether any psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, AIDS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's depressive disorder was not present during active duty and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board also found that his obsessive compulsive personality disorder was not aggravated by service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder warrants a rating of 100 percent throughout the entire period of the claim. The criteria for an effective date earlier than March 3, 2011, for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have not been met. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants entitlement to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 28, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating due to paranoid delusions and suicidal ideation.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS Merrill and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's in-service event and any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and Schizophreniform Disorder with Paranoia (also claimed as severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder).,However, the claim remains on appeal as new evidence does not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of heart disorder, back disorder, brain disorder (head injury residual), and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, a major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is found to be incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected organic heart disease with mitral regurgitation is also granted.