Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew all his pending claims, including the appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU will be reconsidered after any new evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and providing an addendum opinion from a mental health professional regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and updating VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to complete a VA Form 21-0781a (Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD Secondary to Personal Assault).

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete adjudication and need for clarification of medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional records and conduct a new VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is not warranted as there is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of combat involvement or verified stressors related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression developed during service and is not related to any in-service event or exposure. The Veteran was referred for counseling during service, which she asserts led to her current diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence showing current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, or depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection claims related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. His cervical spine and right thumb disabilities were evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since January 24, 2007. The Board found that the current disability picture more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type is considered resolved and asymptomatic. The current diagnoses of paraphilia, not otherwise specified, and major depression are attributed to non-service connected causes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability warrants a 70 percent rating, and she meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to symptoms of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board finds that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused, at least in part, by his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA medical opinion to address the likelihood that the currently diagnosed psychiatric disabilities had their onset during or were otherwise causally related to service.