Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied as she failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression, anxiety disorder, and cognitive disorders are related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of mild traumatic brain injury and dismissed the issue of an increased rating for PTSD with major depression and history of alcohol abuse.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the initial disability rating for PTSD with major depression and alcohol abuse disorder, effective prior to October 6, 2015, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned prior to August 10, 2010. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and an extraschedular rating for PTSD was denied.,However, due to his service-connected PTSD, the Veteran was granted a TDIU effective June 28, 2012.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the schedular criteria are adequate and no exceptional or unusual disability picture exists.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of depression before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not to the extent warranting a higher rating. The disability remains productive of no more than mild symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to errors in previous decisions and incomplete examinations. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for his right knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, hypervigilance, difficulty in understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service, specifically a collision between the USS Denver and the USNS Yukon in July 2000. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no effective date was assigned for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his bipolar disorder is not related to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 70 percent since September 26, 2006. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression due to incomplete medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is not etiologically related to service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a Travel Board hearing before the RO.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's vision impairment disability, as well as whether his acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is related to his service-connected headaches and/or meningitis. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to respond to this decision.