Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent disabling, and her major depressive disorder is denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including a need for a VA PTSD examination and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions will be evaluated again.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because his service-connected PTSD with depression by way of aggravation did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, but it remains unclear whether these conditions are related to his military service. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated conditions have been rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2013. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. A VA examination is needed to determine if dementia is related to his active service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's diagnoses of depression and adjustment disorder with depressed mood were not related to his military service. The Board concluded there was no evidence of a PTSD diagnosis or in-service stressor.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling from December 23, 2015. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a new VA examination regarding his acquired psychiatric condition and TBI residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with PTSD and anxiety warrants a 70 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The Board found that his symptoms cannot be distinguished from each other, so all psychiatric symptoms are considered in the adjudication of the claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and he was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted a higher rating of 30 percent for GERD. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability, increased rating for left knee disability, and initial rating for depressive disorder prior to September 12, 2014 were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is a component of the increased rating claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression and schizoaffective disorder. The March 2018 medical opinion established that the Veteran's pre-existing mental health condition was aggravated by his active duty service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety was found to be manifested by mild or transient symptoms, including insomnia, which decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The current evaluation is 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as there is credible supporting evidence of a personal assault in-service and no clear and convincing evidence to contradict it. The Veteran's personality changes post-service are attributed to this alleged in-service stressor.

The Veteran claims service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dissociative disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further examination.