Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, that was caused by his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine his need for pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his sleep disorder. The claims will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be May 29, 2009, as this represents a progression of other psychiatric diagnoses prior to the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since January 2009, with no issues on appeal regarding service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment is not approximated. The criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS Chipola and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD during service, but the claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. Hypertension was not present until after service and is not linked to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records, in-service psychiatric records, and SSA records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to assess the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a mental disorders examination. The Veteran's service connection claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder with depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a pending claim prior to March 7, 2012. The effective date assigned is March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's post-concussive headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, Caisson's disease, diabetes mellitus secondary to Caisson's disease, or ear disorder. The diagnoses are attributed to his childhood experiences and personality structure rather than service.