Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, adjustment disorder, and unspecified mood disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, ADHD, and alcohol use disorder, has been evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation or TDIU due to lack of evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders and provide an opinion as to their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and a headache disorder have been granted. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric condition has been denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, did not manifest during service or were not aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression are due to in-service stressors, including a bomb explosion during service.

The Veteran's service-connected MDD with PSA disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 24, 2003. The effective date for the increased rating has been established as September 24, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, psychosis, depression, and schizophrenia, were not incurred during service or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to internal inconsistencies in the VA examination report and for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board found no valid diagnosis of PTSD related to military service, and the evidence did not establish a link between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) and the Veteran's military service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

Prior to November 20, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent disabling.,From January 1, 2009 to September 24, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was also rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment. The current rating adequately captures the occupational and social impairment he experiences.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claims for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), are being remanded due to incomplete development. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU indicates that he became unable to work as of April 15, 2009 due to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that this matter should be referred to the Director of the Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression, was also denied.