Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.

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

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since June 10, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms and overall impairment caused by his major depressive disorder more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The appeal is being remanded due to missing documents and the need for additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for assistance with the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, as well as specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, were denied due to lack of entitlement based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression NOS is currently evaluated at 70 percent, but the Board found that this level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU prior to February 12, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed major depressive disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, as her allegations of sexual assault in service are not credible and she did not serve under combat conditions. The medical evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on an alleged stressor event.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service, including exposure to radiation. He does not have a current diagnosis of pancreatitis or hip disability. His polycythemia was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of pancreatitis. The medical record shows he had an acute episode of pancreatitis shortly after service, but there are no subsequent complaints or diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's AWOL period was due to an acquired psychiatric disability. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression as secondary to PTSD, and sleep disorder as secondary to PTSD. Service connection is denied for anxiety and panic attacks as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's cicatricial alopecia (claimed as baldness) is not compensable, but he has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for her major depressive disorder was denied prior to April 1, 2016.,From April 1, 2016, the Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for her major depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent since June 25, 2015. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms which include sleep disturbance, flashbacks, anxiety, hypervigilance, and anger issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran does not have a current disability for the purposes of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depression is rated at 30 percent prior to February 20, 2013, and at 50 percent from February 20, 2013 to August 25, 2016.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities.