Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the impact of her service-connected depressive disorder on her ability to work.

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 30 percent since April 17, 2012. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms have not more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted service connection, finding that new evidence supports a link between her in-service personal assault and her current anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to his military service. The Veteran has also met the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and his acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected. The claim for increased rating for residuals of fourth and fifth finger fracture is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression NOS is related to his military service, including sexual assault during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are addressed in this remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM-V.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder has been denied due to a lack of evidence showing that his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a TDIU as they are rated at 100% for depressive disorder and PTSD, with no other disability rated at or above 40%. The Veteran is currently employed and the evidence does not support an unemployability based solely on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ulnar nerve palsy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on severe incomplete paralysis.,For his anxiety reaction with depressive disorder, the current 70 percent rating is maintained as it meets the criteria for this level of impairment.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that can be linked to service, and therefore grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, classified as persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Veteran's depression is found to be superimposed upon a pre-existing personality disorder that existed prior to service and was aggravated by events during military service.

The Veteran's depression is found to be due, at least in part, to his service-connected PTSD. The Board therefore grants secondary service connection for the Veteran's depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI residuals and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are due to service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of burns and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The claim for residuals of burns was denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between service and the claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right fibula fracture postoperative, with 1st degree pes planus. The Board finds that the Veteran has a depressive disorder that is secondary to his service-connected right fibula fracture postoperative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder are not shown to be etiologically related to his active military service.