Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his psychiatric condition did not warrant an increased rating or TDIU.

The Veteran claims service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded to obtain missing service treatment records, private medical records, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and agoraphobia with panic attacks are rated at 70 percent since August 4, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating is 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including whether any such disability is related to his active service. This includes obtaining deck logs from the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy for December 3, 1981, and arranging for a VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder pre-existed his military service but was aggravated by his active military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right inguinal hernia with a surgical scar, effective from the date of the July 2014 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mental health disability, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and mood disorder, had its onset during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, and chronic adjustment disorder, due to a lack of verified in-service stressors or evidence of disease/injury during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood), drug and alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection could not be established as the Veteran's personality disorder is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent since October 9, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 8, 2015. From that date, his condition resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination or medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his in-service sexual assault, and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed or adequate stressor to support a diagnosis for PTSD, and his currently diagnosed unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The right knee and low back disabilities are also denied as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including attempting to obtain military personnel records of Seaman D.P. and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that it had its onset in service. The Veteran's other claims seeking increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with depression.