Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD, along with Major Depressive Disorder and Cannabis Abuse, has been rated at 70 percent since October 2004. The Board found that a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 is warranted for the period from February 19, 2008 to November 30, 2008 due to hospitalization for PTSD treatment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, clearly existed prior to his service and was not aggravated by any in-service event or illness. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence showing a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service and the current condition is not related to such service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, were not incurred during his military service. The examiner concluded that the diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder are not supported by evidence in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 30, 2007. The Board found that the impairment from his condition more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment prior to June 9, 2011, but for the period beginning June 9, 2011, with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran, he has been rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for panic disorder and allergic rhinitis were denied by the Board. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated under a 'direct' theory of service connection, meaning they are not based on presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia disability is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be related to his service in Vietnam, with the diagnosis of PTSD based on a confirmed stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated as 50 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.,A separate rating for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric diagnoses of anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorder, and adjustment disorder are all attributable to her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran does not manifest PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher evaluation for bilateral pes planus are not before the Board as they have no jurisdiction due to the Veteran's passing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and a need to provide rationale for why depression was not linked to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, and right hand arthritis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.,There is no clear indication in the record that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and major depression disorder that is etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event which occurred in service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination with a different examiner to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating for anxiety and depressive disorder. The Veteran is required to provide information about any relevant medical providers, obtain VA treatment records, and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.