Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at 70 percent, effective from November 5, 2012. The Board has found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms not warranting total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 19, 2011. The claim for higher ratings on other conditions remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of fractures of the fourth and fifth toes of the left foot, bilateral leg disability (lumbar radiculopathy), neck disability, and left hand disability. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depressive disorder, NOS is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis and acquired psychiatric disability are currently rated at 10 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's primary insomnia, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, is rated at 100 percent disabling as of October 21, 2013. The Veteran also has a 70 percent rating for his service-connected primary insomnia prior to that date.

The Veteran's TMJ dysfunction has been rated at 10 percent since February 16, 2017. The condition is characterized by inter-incisal range of more than 40 mm and lateral excursion greater than 4mm.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted, resolving all doubt in his favor. His acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a cerebral concussion (claimed as a head injury) and a psychiatric disorder are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from VA treatment in April and May of 2007.

The Board found that the current psychiatric disability is not causally related to service and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was shown to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from October 20, 2011 to September 27, 2017. The effective dates for the ratings are provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and depression, including verification of an in-service stressor and determination of whether current diagnoses are related to experiences in stockades.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and for a cervical spine disability to obtain VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated information about his current address, and any outstanding private records must be obtained.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separately diagnosable psychiatric disability other than his already service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia and PTSD. His anxiety and depression are symptoms of his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's in-service stressor is related to a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is related to this stressor. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and he has a compensable disability rating for hearing loss in the left ear. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the legs is rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings due to lack of ulceration or massive edema.,Service connection is denied for sleep disorder (presumably insomnia) as secondary to service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the legs. Service connection is also denied for left shoulder pain as not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was incurred in service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, also claimed as depression, began in service and persists to this day. Therefore, service connection is granted.