Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including persistent depressive disorder with anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms, have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his experiences during service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and incomplete information.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, are found to be attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cardiovascular disorder and hypertension, secondary to hepatitis C, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not considered to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and determine whether service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, can be granted. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed based on new information provided by her regarding alleged personal assaults during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective April 13, 2009. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C remains pending.

The Veteran's anxiety/depressive disorder was found to not warrant a rating in excess of the initial 30 percent assigned, as his symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by service and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and a need for a supplemental VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The appeal is now remanded for further development and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be due to his service-connected tinnitus, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder but denied service connection for bipolar disorder and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his mental disability and hypertension. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.