Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a 70 percent rating since November 10, 2016.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, being related to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional VA medical opinions to address service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and TDIU. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missed VA examination and outstanding VA records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression is not etiologically related to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD, dysthymia, and depressive disorder NOS are related to in-service military sexual trauma and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his migraine headaches and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional stressor development and an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for psoriasis or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's TDIU has been granted effective April 13, 2009. The Board also determined that an earlier effective date prior to January 13, 2011, is appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent or an effective date prior to August 21, 2013. The Veteran does not have other disabilities that would warrant separate evaluations.

The Veteran is granted service connection for varicose veins and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent prior to August 9, 2005 and at 70 percent thereafter. The symptoms have included suicidal ideation, persistent depressed mood, disturbances of motivation and mood, but no other criteria for a higher rating were met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service aboard USS Dubuque and identification of verified stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are to be evaluated in light of their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and major depression with dysthymia, is found to be related to service. The Veteran's liver transplant disability was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing updated VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.