Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under the DSM-V. The examiner must also provide an opinion as to whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's period of service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is not service-connected.,Hepatitis C was not contracted during service or due to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's current hepatitis C is more likely related to his intranasal cocaine use in the late 1990s.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and its relationship to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's melanoma is reasonably shown to be related to sun exposure during service, and the Board finds that service connection for this disability is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and a bilateral foot condition, as secondary to his service-connected back disability, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of record indicating the existence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and related conditions are considered totally incapacitating, with the probability of permanent improvement under treatment being remote.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings and the need to obtain additional treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not originate in service and is not otherwise related to service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of certain medical opinions.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is found to be related to his active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 13, 2010. The Board found that an increased rating greater than 50 percent was not warranted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of her symptoms and occupational/social impairment. The rating agency has determined that she does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional symptomatology.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that this level of impairment most closely approximates the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depressive disorder, and insomnia/sleep disorder) is granted. The effective date is set at July 8, 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, and polysubstance abuse, are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, was not incurred during his military service and is not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed his active naval service and was not aggravated by it, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is etiologically related to service, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.