Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated by her active duty service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues are not addressed in detail as they pertain to specific conditions and ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be related to in-service stressors. The lung disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service exposure. Service connection for the remaining conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and bipolar disorder. However, the underlying claim of service connection cannot be reached due to lack of a nexus between active duty service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder, as well as his claim to reopen a service connection claim for vertigo, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU issue is also being remanded in conjunction with these other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's depression is aggravated by his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is not related to service. The claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied, but reopened based on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of a military sexual assault during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for SMC purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and adjustment disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is related to service or caused by his hepatitis C. The examiner will also assess whether the Veteran's depression was aggravated by his hepatitis C.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all psychiatric diagnoses during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examination reports and requested new examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol dependence and depressive disorder, is not shown to be etiologically related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for bilateral knee arthritis has been dismissed as he withdrew from the appeal in October 2017. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to ensure the Veteran's claims are evaluated in full consideration of all relevant evidence.