Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship to active service. The appellant's statements were inconsistent regarding when and where she experienced sexual assault.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for color blindness, traumatic brain injury, and dizziness has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for genital warts has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder is granted, but the rating assigned remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's death was ruled a suicide by firearm, and the cause of his alcoholism is not service-connected. The Board found that neither the service-connected disability nor any other condition contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence to reopen the claim and grants service connection for major depressive disorder as it likely had its onset during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety are remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including neck disability, low back disability, right foot disability, residuals of a head laceration, headaches, depression, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU. The Veteran's STRs may be incomplete, and additional searches are needed. A VA examination is required for psychiatric disorders, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, began during active service. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied attorney fees for the February 2014 rating decision awarding service connection for PTSD with depression, diabetic polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, and diabetic polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity because no notice of disagreement was filed prior to the February 2014 rating decision.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 70 percent for the appellant's service-connected PTSD and depression, finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the TDIU claim due to the Veteran's physical and mental disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and her service connection claims. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has any current psychiatric diagnoses, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and whether these conditions are related to her military service. Additionally, the examiner must address whether her psychiatric disorders were caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 19, 2014, and to a compensable rating thereafter for service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability and granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder. The heart condition issue is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since May 19, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD as of November 1, 2013. The effective date is December 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 2015 for major depressive disorder with psychotic features was denied as the evidence did not show worsening symptoms warranting such a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of an initial increased rating for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.