Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 30 percent since August 18, 2009. The symptoms include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, and no new and material evidence has been presented to reopen this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's incarceration status. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol use disorder is not service connected as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of increased ratings for multiple sclerosis, neurological impairment of the upper and lower extremities, and mood disorder. She also withdrew her appeal regarding service connection for visual disturbance due to multiple sclerosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, hypothyroidism, right heel spur syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his major depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also dependent on the outcome of this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depression and a TDIU prior to April 16, 2010. The effective date of compensation is set at the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, which are related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial disability rating for PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and drug and alcohol abuse in full remission.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent effective March 19, 2015. The appeal for a higher initial rating is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her in-service military sexual trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not result from service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's right pes cavus with valgus variation of toes and depression, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, have been reopened. The Veteran's right foot condition is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim of sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2016 hearing.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for hearings and notification. The claims of reopening service connection for depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 30, 2006. The Board finds that the disability picture more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.