Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability (depression) is caused by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, thus the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder or low back disorder that is related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.,For his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his combat experiences during service, particularly his time in Vietnam. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, depression, and chronic insomnia is rated at 100% effective April 5, 2012. Ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left and right knees are each rated at 10%. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndromes have not been evaluated separately.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Board finds the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, depression, or insomnia. The preponderance of evidence does not support finding that his nightmare disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 5, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment since November 4, 2010. The rating of 70 percent is granted for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and major depressive disorder. The decision found that his current disabilities are not related to service, with no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure compliance with the directives and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retrieval of her service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for service connection for shin splints and the effective date of September 1, 2007. The claim for an increased rating for major depression disorder with PTSD remains pending. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Nevada State Mental Hospital and VA medical centers. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and migraines are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder with alcohol abuse and cocaine dependence, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that the severity of his symptoms warrants a higher rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 7, 2010. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.