Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete adjudication of service connection for depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, as well as unclear etiological opinions regarding PTSD. The Veteran's claims are referred back to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 4, 2008. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not result in total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, began during service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 24, 2015. The rating for his right TKR remains at 10 percent from April 14, 2016. His tinea corporis with eczema is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including primarily his major depression, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors are not credible and did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of supporting evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression NOS, anxiety disorder NOS, mood disorder NOS, MDD, and alcohol use disorder, are found to be causally related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether any gastrointestinal disorders are related to active service or due to VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that began during or was caused by his military service, and if so, whether it is secondary to other conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine whether any gastrointestinal disorders are related to active service or due to VA treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination to determine the nature and etiology of his dermatological or allergic disorder.,The Veteran's claim for compensation based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded to obtain clarification regarding whether his chronic pancreatitis was due to negligence from VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not show that his currently diagnosed depression or anxiety disorders are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service event did not occur, and thus his acquired mental disorders are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, but his claim for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is related to his period of active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and generalized anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not due to, or the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his claim for an effective date prior to October 5, 2006 was denied. The issue of TDIU is part of the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is final as to these issues.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is not related to her service or her service connected diabetes mellitus and post-stroke disability, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.