Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are being remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also on appeal and will be held in abeyance until the other claims have been addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 21, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that while the Veteran had multiple service-connected conditions, none prevented him from performing routine daily activities and his depressive disorder caused only moderate functional restrictions.

The Board has remanded the case to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA back examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's unspecified personality disorder was subject to a superimposed disease or injury in service resulting in a current acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is rated at 50% disabling and does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disability alone.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims regarding his mood disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a hiatal hernia and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (variously diagnosed as a mood disorder, anxiety, depression, an adjustment disorder, and GAD) on the basis of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's headaches worsen her acquired mental disorder. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depressive disorder. The appeal is currently in remand status and will be returned to the AOJ after any additional development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since February 17, 2016.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50% since October 18, 2007, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to afford the Veteran a VA psychiatric examination and to obtain service mental health clinical records and service personnel records. The examiner is asked to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability is causally related to the Veteran's service, including his diagnosis of passive dependency reaction in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not related to service and denied his claim. His chronic kidney disorder is linked to pre-service injury, familial predisposition, and post-service abuse of anabolic steroids and creatine supplements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 18, 2009.

The Veteran's TBI and chronic headaches due to head trauma have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are pending.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2010. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteochondroma of the right knee and back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claims are granted as both conditions are found to be related to active service.