Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupation tasks.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent effective March 10, 2016. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, or PTSD, that is etiologically related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities and whether any such diagnosed disorder is caused or aggravated by one or more of the Veteran's reported traumatic events or any other aspect of active or National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service and/or secondary to service-connected disability. The AOJ must also verify the alleged stressor account and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disfiguring acne, and whether it is directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed adjustment disorder and ADD.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left gluteus SFW, and scar formation in the left gluteus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer disease with chronic duodenitis on an extraschedular basis, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's depression and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include a depressive disorder is service connected as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy associated with the low back disability has also been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression warrants a 70 percent disability rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's depression has not caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating no higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to clarify the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since September 16, 2010. The disability has not caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program was denied because his chosen vocational goal of owning a cabaret-style bar/restaurant is not considered suitable given his service-connected disabilities and lack of financial resources.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including mental health conditions and musculoskeletal issues. The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to have a DRO hearing.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his skin disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective April 1, 2014.