Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted as of December 23, 2009. The Board also dismissed all other claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal during his February 2018 hearing.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious stress is currently rated at 50 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal. The evidence does not support a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for clarification of etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection. The back disorder was also not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as service connection for PTSD, were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for the Veteran's tinnitus. No compensable evaluation was granted for his bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection for PTSD could not be established based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxiety, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service.,The Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during active service and is not attributable to any aspect of service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is established as service-connected, while his neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss are denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and a depressive disorder) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was initially diagnosed during active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA medical opinions to determine the etiology of her depressive disorder NOS, including whether it is related to service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and medication.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder which the Board finds are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with symptoms of memory loss. However, a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or MDD, and whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety was denied. The Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond February 1, 2011, based on the need for convalescence following right patellar realignment surgery on December 27, 2010, was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work and social relationships. The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 14, 2011 to April 29, 2015, and in excess of 70 percent from April 30, 2015.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities limit him to sedentary employment. The earlier effective date claim for asthma was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, anxiety and panic disorder without agoraphobia, and depressive disorder are of service origin and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disorder and depression are service-connected, with the hip disorder being secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, depression, and asbestos pleural plaques.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to April 23, 2015. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.