Depression decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim was also denied for other acquired psychiatric disorders as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The reduction of the 100 percent rating for the right knee disability was found not improper.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent prior to March 1, 2013, due to total social and occupational impairment. TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, combined with her other disabilities, necessitates the need for regular aid and attendance of another person as of August 28, 2013. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been rated at 50 percent since November 6, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to his military sexual trauma, which occurred during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his combined disability rating of at least 70 percent with one disability rated at least 40 percent is sufficient to grant TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and her reflux sympathetic dystrophy of the right foot, lower leg, and ankle is rated at 40 percent. The other conditions are not increased.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying herbicide exposure. VA examinations are also required to address the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supported these claims.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing a new VA opinion to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's AML, GVHD, depression, and cataracts are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current primary diagnosis is for alcohol abuse and dependence, and no other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise medically related to an in-service injury, disease or event, specifically including alleged involuntary LSD exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU were granted, while the claim for a compensable disability rating for PTSD prior to December 1, 2013 was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her major depressive disorder and bilateral knee disabilities, render her unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and psychotic disorder, as well as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The preponderance of evidence did not support the existence of a medical relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his military service or service-connected knee disability.