Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since the March 22, 2010 effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and concluded that the MDD is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion from the July 2009 VA examiner. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his military service and service connection for this condition is granted. Service connection for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying inservice stressors. The VA will also request Social Security Administration records and obtain VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's depression is not productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, so a higher rating than 50 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including dysthymia, depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol and cannabis dependence, are permanently worsened in severity beyond a normal progression by his service-connected migraine headaches. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service and denied all claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of records and the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, is service connected as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His bilateral foot disability is also service connected. The RO reduced the rating for his low back disability from 40% to 20%, effective July 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are linked to his combat experiences during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to in-service stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with proper notice.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for an ear disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain VA audiological examination reports and ensure that all necessary development has been completed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for acid reflux is being remanded to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction are being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not directly related, secondary to, or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by voice change is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and determine if he has a current disability due to intubation during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders, low blood pressure, and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that his depression and antisocial personality disorder were not related to his military service.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressors and denied service connection for both PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available. As a result, the claim for TDIU is moot since there remains no period where the schedular rating is 'less than total.'

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depression were denied as there is no credible evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.

The Veteran was rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment from January 16, 2001, to March 8, 2004, due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for substitution and accrued benefits purposes during this period.