Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The remaining claims of service connection for a right arm disorder, groin pain, and chest pain are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VAOPT records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The claim for TDIU will be adjudicated in the first instance.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and left sural nerve entrapment have been granted increased ratings, with the PTSD rating now at 50 percent effective December 14, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal was granted. He is now in receipt of a 40% disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the decision. His major depressive disorder remains rated at 30%, prior to February 23, 2017 and in excess of 50% thereafter. He is also granted TDIU since February 23, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right leg weakness is not service connected, as the current evidence does not support a causal relationship between his in-service fall and his current condition. His personality disorder was misdiagnosed in service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that his anxiety preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, right elbow disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (including a phase of life problem, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left index finger fracture resulted in a 10 percent rating, effective January 24, 2017. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected foot disorders and depression. The case will be returned to the Board after this review.

The Veteran's appeal of right hip strain/hamstring insertion was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues regarding respiratory disability, psychiatric disorder, and neurological disorder are addressed in this remand.

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

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be a result of his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of issues related to TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board will adjudicate these issues before considering the earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected Raynaud's phenomenon is rated at 40 percent, and she is granted TDIU based on her combined rating of 80 percent. She does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claims, including a VA examination and verification of stressor events.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and denied service connection. The cervical spine disorder is related to post-service injuries, and thus service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 50 percent since June 25, 2007. From February 20, 2015 onwards, the rating was increased to 70 percent. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for any period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service personnel records and for an examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, their likely etiology, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased evaluation for major depressive disorder and a TDIU have been dismissed as she has withdrawn both issues.