Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and providing an opinion on the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent from February 8, 2010 to January 24, 2014. The left hip disorder is related to the service-connected left knee disability and has been granted as secondary.,Effective January 24, 2014, the Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied because there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and thus, no causal relationship between his current PTSD symptoms and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's breathing disorder and sleep apnea are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or due to a service-connected disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The claims are denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA examination and additional private treatment records, as well as to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of dental trauma and/or TMJ.

The Veteran's service-connected MDD with PTSD has been evaluated at 50 percent prior to February 3, 2016 and 70 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran claimed he experienced stressors related to Vietnam service but VA determined there was no combat service in Vietnam and insufficient evidence to verify his reported stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent, effective February 25, 2015. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have increased in frequency and severity since his last examination, due to employment issues, alcohol abuse, and hospitalization for substance abuse.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder, was not incurred in or the result of his service, to include as secondary to a service-connected skin disability. The preponderance of evidence indicates that the condition is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder, NOS. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine her eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a surgical scar, status post varicocelectomy was denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and ADHD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective February 23, 2017. The disability has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, are as likely as not related to his period of active duty service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's MDD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, or mood. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for MDD.

The Veteran's initial claims for TBI and major depressive disorder were denied prior to the effective dates of April 29, 2010 and January 14, 2008 respectively.,The Veteran is currently assigned a 50% disability rating for his major depressive disorder. He contends that he should be entitled to an initial higher disability rating prior to August 3, 2011.