Depression decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased schedular rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 50 percent rating, finding that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hepatitis C prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 30, 2001 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from August 19, 2003 to April 2, 2005 was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 2, 2005 were not met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and whether service connection can be granted for alcohol abuse secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, rating increases, and TDIU. The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including issuing a Statement of the Case on earlier effective dates and scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse disorder. The decision found that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor related to a traumatic event or circumstance, and thus element (2) of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) was not met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including claimed PTSD, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or due to service and there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a mood disorder, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right knee sprain/spurring. These conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.,Service connection is also established for these conditions as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and adjudicatory documents. VA examinations are also needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, polysubstance abuse, and substance-induced mood disorder, is rated at a 70 percent disability level effective May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 50 percent since June 2006, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased rating for PUD, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for psychiatric disorders are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records from his Enlisted Reserve Corps service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent from August 30, 2005, to August 21, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted effective June 24, 2011. The effective date could not be earlier due to the nature of her claims and the lack of a correction or modification in military records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to his military service.,As a result, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he does not have any service-connected disabilities upon which to base this claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separately diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of medical records from Bell County Jail and Psychological Associates, P.A. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.