Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, adjustment disorder, and dissociative amnesia disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent from September 19, 2008 to August 28, 2013 and at 70 percent since April 8, 2015. The Veteran currently experiences significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 3, 2017 and denied for a higher rating. From April 3, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are etiologically related to his active duty service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has been granted, resulting in a TDIU. His migraine headaches and esophageal tear remain unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's asthma. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression as secondary to service-connected disabilities, remains under review.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and ADHD are found to be related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that this evidence reasonably raises the possibility that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder began in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, which is found to have its onset during active service. The most probative evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left ear disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions, and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. Service connection was denied for ED, GERD, OSA, a GI disorder, and a sleep disorder (other than OSA). The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, was denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and alcoholism, is related to his active duty service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD or major depressive disorder linked to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or any causal relationship between the claimed condition and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete opinions and issues regarding service connection.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left L4 radiculopathy, effective March 2, 2015. The Veteran also had his claim for depressive disorder reopened and granted.