Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability evaluations and rating reductions, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran seeks compensation for additional disability resulting from a colonoscopy with polypectomy performed at a VA medical facility in October 2001. The case is being remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding causation and the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's cause of death, cerebrovascular accident due to abnormal clotting due to questionable atrial fibrillation, is being reviewed for potential service connection. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and has determined that a new diagnosis of PTSD is supported by evidence. The Veteran was granted a 100% rating for her asthma.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from June 10, 1992 to March 11, 2008.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a depressive disorder, but denied service connection for a brain tumor and seizure disorder.,There is no evidence of a brain tumor or seizures during service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's brain tumor and seizures are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been rated at 50% for the entire appeal period. The Board has now granted a 70% rating based on severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not report for a VA examination scheduled in connection with his claims of service connection for low back and hip disabilities. As such, these claims are denied.,VA is unable to provide an opinion regarding the Veteran's depression as he refused to speak with the examiner.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back pain, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is found to be related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the claims. The AOJ will consider all evidence received since the last Supplemental Statements of the Case (SSOC) in conjunction with prior evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last decision.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes, neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, bilateral retinopathy, and depression with PTSD are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and intermittent explosive disorder, is related to her military service. The claim for service connection for GERD, IBS, chronic chest pains, and a sinus disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include a skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to December 19, 2013. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.