Depression decisions — 2017

The Board determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria to be recognized as a helpless child of the Veteran, and thus is not eligible for VA death pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. He was awarded a compensable rating (10%) for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused or aggravated by any psychiatric illness treated during service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 11, 2006. The Board found that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a separate psychiatric disorder other than his service-connected PTSD, and therefore, he is denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including claims for service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that a videoconference hearing is required due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent effective December 31, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU from January 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and paranoid ideations, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's circadian rhythm disorder with major depressive disorder did not present symptoms severe enough to interfere with her occupational and social functioning prior to June 30, 2016. From June 30, 2016, the Veteran's condition manifested in occupational and social impairment due to mild symptoms such as difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the right index finger and major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for right hand arthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the Veteran has a heart disability (IHD) and hypertension that may be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's psychiatric impairment between April 11, 2010 and April 11, 2011 was total, warranting a 100% rating for acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and an adjustment disorder, are etiologically related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to incomplete evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including their impact on his ability to work. The appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and personnel information, as well as for a new VA audiological examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or back disability related to service. The claim for peripheral vascular disease is also denied as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation by seizure medications.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 60 percent for the service-connected major depression/severe anxiety is denied.