Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding PTSD and unverified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not support a finding that any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the lack of contact and the need for a psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety disorder NOS and depression, is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during the period on appeal that manifested during or was causally related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple sclerosis is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy related to diabetes or service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent throughout the appeal period, and his acquired psychiatric disorder has been rated at 70 percent.,VA medical care resulting in lacerations of the bowel was found to be the proximate cause of the Veteran's additional disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater, MA. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to his military service. The claim of service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to be manifested by problems with socialization, anxiety, depression, decreased energy, self-isolation, flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia aided by alcohol, ability to maintain good relationships with his family and girlfriend, and steady employment with no major difficulties. The preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's depression is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service or his right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pelvis disorder has not been adjudicated. The issue of new and material evidence for his acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) was granted, but the underlying claim remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) is established as secondary to his service-connected left hip, lumbar spine, right and left knee, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle sprain, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include anxiety reaction and depression is granted as secondary to service-connected neck and back disabilities. The appeals for increased ratings on the low back, cervical spine, and pain disorder are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been granted service connection, with a current rating of 100 percent. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to an increased rating for his MDD and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess his current PTSD disability level.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 20 percent, but the full settlement amount of $25,000 must be offset against his compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.