Depression decisions — 2017

The Board found that the movant's character of service was under other than honorable conditions due to a general court-martial conviction. The issues related to his depression and schizoaffective disorder are considered new and material, but the overall decision is mixed as some aspects support service connection while others do not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to noncombat-related stressors during his Marine Corps service is credible and sufficient to establish a diagnosis of PTSD. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's lay testimony regarding his symptoms since service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for a TDIU and SMC.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, are granted service connection. The claim for PTSD is pending as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating prior to March 19, 2009. From March 19, 2009, there is no legal entitlement to a compensable rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals have not required at least one month of convalescence or resulted in severe postoperative residuals as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, effective October 24, 2005.

The Board found no credible evidence of a claimed event, injury, or disease during service upon which service connection can be established for the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and TBI. The claims will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left shoulder and GERD with gastritis are pending. The Board finds the current evidence insufficient to grant these claims at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder were granted an effective date of September 28, 2010. The TDIU was also granted with the same effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an updated VA examination to determine the extent and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Veteran's service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from October 1, 2004 to June 1, 2009.,The Veteran was found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since September 2004.

The Veteran's vertigo is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has found in favor of the claim for service connection for vertigo, but the claims for depression and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an increased evaluation for his major depressive disorder. The untimely Notice of Disagreement regarding the April 2009 rating decision was not considered as it was filed after the one-year appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not service-connected, and his PTSD with MDD warrants a rating of 70% since October 19, 2007. The TDIU claim prior to March 10, 2014, is also denied.