Depression decisions — 2017

The Board found that the currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, major depression disorder, is not related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% rating for depression effective January 30, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, right knee, bilateral hip, and back disorders are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet her claim for an increased rating. The evidence shows that the disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, and a disability characterized by generalized body pain to include gout. The TDIU claim is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not attributable to service. The VA examinations and medical opinions provided no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease was denied, and his TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability (severe psychotic depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, rheumatic heart disease, rheumatic fever, and inactive tuberculosis pleurisy with residual restrictive lung disease, resulted in a combined rating of 80 percent. The Board found that the criteria for a TDIU were met effective May 21, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no intervening claim prior to November 18, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle osteochondritis dissecans and degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective April 12, 2013. He is currently rated at 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 14, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new evidence showing a current psychiatric disorder. However, the evidence does not establish that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted based on his reported in-service personal assaults and combat experiences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations in the original decision. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current depressive disorder and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to May 4, 2017.,Beginning May 4, 2017, the rating for his major depressive disorder with panic disorder increased to 70 percent.