Depression decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and alcohol dependence resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating of at least 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's income and seeking any relevant SSA records. A VA examination is also needed to assess his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective May 7, 2010. The rating is based on the frequency and severity of his prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule her for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her hypertension, stroke (transient ischemic attack), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting, as it was not due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression, was also denied.

The Board found that the November 2007 rating decision denying service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings, TDIU, and earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The appeal for a temporary total rating due to in-patient treatment is dismissed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for treatment of his seizure disorder and headaches were deemed necessary due to the nature of his condition, which posed a serious threat to his health. The emergency nature of his seizures necessitated immediate care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 2, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether she was unemployable prior to March 1, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a mood disorder as secondary to the service-connected migraine headaches.,VA treatment records and VA examinations indicate that the Veteran has depression, but the current diagnosed mood disorder is not caused or permanently worsened by the service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a February 2014 VA opinion, and additional development is needed.

The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his active service. The relaxed evidentiary standard for establishing an in-service stressor will be considered.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 16, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating and earlier effective date are both granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his service, and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of an in-service stressor. The right knee disorder was also found not to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be related to any in-service disease or injury, including exposure to herbicides. The acquired psychiatric disorder has also been found not to have met the criteria for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating, effective December 2, 1998. The appellant's TDIU claim was also granted.