Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were rated at 70 percent prior to June 4, 2014. Beginning June 4, 2014, the rating was increased to 100 percent due to his inability to maintain employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, or depression for VA purposes. As such, service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder and its impact on his employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS are rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, effective April 12, 2011, but the issue of TDIU is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorder due to military sexual trauma is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine if chronic fatigue syndrome is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral foot disability and right ankle disability are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to service and grants this claim. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, sleep disorder, and depression, is now pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression. The diagnoses provided by VA examiners indicate these conditions are not related to service. Service connection for alcohol dependency/abuse and lupus is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, finding that her current mental health issues are not related to her military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcohol use disorder, and unspecified personality disorder, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or other chronic disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression manifested in service and has continued since service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service-connected MDD is manifested by symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired mental disorders, memory problems, and headaches did not have onset in service or are otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia, are not related to his period of service. The evidence shows that he experienced anxiety and anger in service but did not have any diagnosed mental health conditions at that time. His current diagnoses were first noted many years after service.