Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 70% disability rating for his major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS prior to April 8, 2013, and a disability rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and TDIU, but denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not compensable.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, high cholesterol, tinea cruris, sinusitis, and a psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety), have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The disability manifests with occupational and social impairment but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders and considering his lay statements concerning the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating decision, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. This includes obtaining verification of stressor events in service, securing SSA records, and arranging for an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the unadjudicated issues of service connection for a heart disability, Crohn's disease, and diabetes. The claim for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since November 15, 2006. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to her military service.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for right knee, left knee, or low back disabilities. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by fatigue is denied as there is no diagnosed condition.,Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise that this condition began during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's MS is rated at 30 percent, and his depressive disorder, speech disorder, IBS, bladder disorder, visual field defect, and ED are separately rated. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between his in-service complaints and his current diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service-connected disabilities or incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to in-service personal assaults, granting service connection for these conditions.