Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining complete service treatment records and providing a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders present during the period of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying in-service stressor details.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 4, 2016. The rating reflects total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms including difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as additional information and records are needed.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed service connected due to her having hyperthyroidism and a thyroidectomy within one year of discharge from active duty. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include anxiety and depression) is remanded as no VA examination has been done.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to February 8, 2016. From that date, the disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a ruptured left ear drum or scarring from a past ruptured left ear drum, and that any injury to the ear occurred during service. The Board also found no evidence linking his acquired psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder and dysthymia) to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security disability records and updated VA treatment records. A new psychiatric examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, was granted service connection and rated at 30 percent prior to February 8, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and cyclothymic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The examiner will be asked to provide opinions on whether her pre-existing psychiatric condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and did not permanently increase in severity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current right knee strain is related to his in-service right knee injury.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depressive disorder effective March 5, 2012. The decision is based on the grant of a claim reopened in December 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected major depression. Therefore, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability effective February 13, 2013. The Veteran's right hip and left knee disabilities were not service-connected, but his depressive disorder was increased to 50 percent from January 28, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are denied. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and because the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. The Veteran is currently service-connected for anxiety with depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee lateral instability, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, limitation of flexion in the right and left knees, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent from August 21, 2015. He also received SMC at the housebound rate effective September 22, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his post traumatic headaches and major depressive disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.