Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder and updating the claims file with any recent VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service psychiatric symptoms. The claim will be further developed and adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claim of entitlement to service connection for depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression (PTSD), has been granted. The effective date of the grant is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated medical records. The Board will review the claims file and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded it for further development. The Veteran will be notified if additional action is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed stressors have not been objectively verified. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 30 percent from June 3, 2010 to July 21, 2015 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating and TDIU prior to May 25, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the major depressive disorder is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating provided for this disability. The Veteran's IBS was previously rated at 30 percent and remains at that level.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, and there is no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to his service-connected back and left elbow disabilities. The residuals of a scar, left olecranon process, are stable but not painful or deep enough for a compensable rating. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms such as anxiety prior to January 26, 2007. From January 26, 2007 to June 20, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency due to symptoms such as depressed mood and chronic sleep impairment. Since June 20, 2016, the Veteran's depressive disorder is manifested by deficiency in most areas with near-continuous panic or depression.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional treatment records from the Denver Vet Center.

The Board has remanded the issues of an increased rating for the right knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to noncompliance with remand directives. The remaining claims have been addressed, but no SOC has been issued.