Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, as his symptoms have been sporadic and intermittent over the past year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding her PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder NOS, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested in Level III hearing acuity for both ears, resulting in a noncompensable (0%) evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder was evaluated at 70% disabling based on the most recent VA examination conducted in March 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty in Korea. The Veteran also had other diagnosed psychiatric conditions (depressive disorder NOS and alcohol use disorder), but these are considered to be related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for schizophrenia and service connection for major depression are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim, which remains pending. The Board is remanding the case to issue Statements of the Case addressing these issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychosis and paranoia, schizoaffective disorder, and depression and anxiety, is found to be at least as likely as not related to service. The right ear hearing loss disability has been rated based on the severity of its symptoms and impact on function. TDIU will be considered in conjunction with the rating decision for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, scars, bilateral hearing loss, and urticaria, combine to a 70 percent disability rating. The Board finds that the evidence supports the assignment of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted as service connection is established due to the in-service military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100% disability rating since May 29, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional efforts to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and for an additional VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders that may be present.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depressive disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for depression and that there is no medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, a service-connected condition, is found to have caused his death. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of DIC benefits based on service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a new VA examination, and readjudicating the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent disabling from November 30, 2009 to March 1, 2016. He is also entitled to a TDIU rating since July 1, 2013.

The Board has reopened and granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, low back disability, neck disability, parotid gland neoplasm, radiculopathy of upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and for psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1702, finding that there was no evidence of a psychosis within two years of service separation.,The Board concluded that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric conditions did not increase in severity during his military service and thus denied service connection.