Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are also found to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression are being remanded to allow for a VA examination and review of her treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is service-connected as it is linked to in-service personal assault and military sexual trauma.,The Veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the right heel are currently evaluated at 10 percent. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's MDD is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss will be remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The TDIU claim has been raised but not adjudicated.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not service connected as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The effective date for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder has been set at August 9, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a 100 percent rating. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion alleging CUE in their April 2013 decision, which had previously denied an earlier effective date for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The Court vacated this decision and remanded it to the Board for re-adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Court held that the scope of a claim includes any disability that may reasonably be encompassed by the claimant's description of the claim, reported symptoms, and other information of record.

The Veteran's current depressive disorder was caused by service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder bipolar disorder, major depression with psychotic features, and PTSD. The case will be remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to gross impairment in thought processes or communication, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, and memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or name. As a result, the Board finds that the criteria for a 100 percent rating have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is not causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CTS, a skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder have been rated, with the most recent rating of 50% for anxiety disorder effective August 18, 2016. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for an increased rating has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as she did not meet the evidentiary burden in regards to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or caused by active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.