Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are not etiologically related to his military service. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to his history of substance abuse and multiple TBIs.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to November 2, 2011; 50 percent from November 2, 2011 to October 20, 2015; and 70 percent thereafter. The claims were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, and mood due to depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, suicidal ideation, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. However, the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and MDD are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated examination to assess the severity of his depressive disorder with anxiety and asthma/COPD. His TDIU claim prior to July 2009 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will be rescheduled for a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his cervical spine and headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities preclude employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder is an additional disability that was superimposed on his congenital avoidant personality disorder during military service, and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's substance abuse and depressive disorder have been rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, but prior to December 9, 2015, his symptoms warranted a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's posttraumatic tensional, muscle contraction headaches are rated at a 10 percent disability rating. The Board also granted service connection for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS).

The Veteran's PTSD, joint pain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, sexual dysfunction, and depression are all found to be related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, a panic disorder depression, an adjustment disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The TDIU issue is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and finds that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service. The evidence is in equipoise, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted, and he is now entitled to a rating based on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, and Panic Disorder) is also considered in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since May 14, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression NOS, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. The Board also denied service connection for an abnormal leg movement disability, claimed as restless leg syndrome, due to the lack of evidence showing it was related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current or previously diagnosed psychiatric condition is related to the Veteran's active service.