Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and severe depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's vision loss of the right eye, neuropathy of the left upper extremity (claimed as loss of command, left sided neuropathy and weakness), cognitive disorder (claimed as cognitive disorder to include, but not limited to, attention, memory, loss of time, space, and aphasia), and an acquired psychiatric condition, to include anxiety and depression, are considered residuals of a cerebrovascular accident. The Board has determined that these disabilities were caused by VA treatment due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or some other instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated depression have been rated at 50 percent since April 24, 2009. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as intrusive recollections, avoidance behaviors, sleep impairment, and anger issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The RO has granted a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability and whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or related to service, thus denying the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records, service treatment records, and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, stroke, and left eye scar.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's unspecified bipolar disorder with depression, anxiety disorder, and mixed borderline paranoid and dependent personality traits has not been manifested by total social and occupational impairment. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, arthritis, and dental conditions. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, manifested during his active military service and the Board finds that it is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim was not decided on the merits of a lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for OSA, and that his thoracolumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claim for TBI and denied the service connection claims for psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The remaining issues are REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has remanded the case due to missing treatment records and for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are related to his active service experiences in Japan during World War II. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for depression and TDIU were denied by the Board. The Veteran was assigned a 50% evaluation, which is the maximum available, for his service-connected depression.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral inguinal hernias, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to his active duty service.