Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and anger issues, have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to February 8, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder injury, and left arm injury are related to service. The broken ribs claim will be addressed as a direct service connection case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions or current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

Service connection for epilepsy and depression has been granted.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his alleged herbicide agent exposure while serving in Thailand. The issues of service connection for depressive disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are also being remanded as they are secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated Major Depressive Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but her right knee disability was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.,Service connection for the Veteran's right knee strain is denied as it is less likely than not that the condition was caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 24, 2011 for sciatica of the left lower extremity and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression) were dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for obstructive sleep apnea was granted from May 20, 2015 to July 4, 2016 with a 30 percent rating, and from July 5, 2016 with a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 20, 2015 was denied due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities that precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. From May 20, 2015 onwards, his claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders have been rated at a 30 percent since March 11, 2015. The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The decision found that new evidence did not establish a nexus to service in some cases.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, to include depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to October 8, 2012. Since then, the symptoms have been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board also found a positive nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and her in-service sexual assault, granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to military sexual trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the June 2015 decision, including a lack of discussion on depression and an inadequate March 2013 VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is required to undergo another examination to determine if there is a superimposed disease or injury during service that resulted in disability apart from the personality disorder, and whether depression is related to service.

The case is being remanded for the establishment of an effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, and for readjudication of the TDIU claim prior to May 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his motor vehicle accident and acquired psychiatric disorders.