Depression Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for new evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability during or shortly before the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from February 8, 2016.

The Veteran's death was due to an automobile accident while intoxicated, precluding VA benefits. The appeal is about determining if the Veteran had a service-connected psychiatric disorder that caused or aggravated his alcohol abuse.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that his current psychiatric disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The claims for GERD and hypertension are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for depression, and the current rating for bilateral pes planus is already at its maximum allowable under applicable criteria.

Effective date of July 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety disability; effective date of July 20, 2012 for grants of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and puborectalis syndrome. The low back disorder claim was reopened and granted secondary to his irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment and income history, as well as his private treatment records for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 and a VA Form 21-4192.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his claim for Persistent Depressive Disorder was granted. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected depression and bipolar disorder contributed to his death in a motor vehicle accident. The VA will seek additional medical opinions to address this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol abuse resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating from May 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to additional development being needed. Obesity is not a disability subject to service connection, but may be secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent. Additional VA examinations are required to determine if obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and if so, whether DM, ED, gout, or sleep apnea are also caused or aggravated by obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for updated VA treatment records and further investigation of a newly-reported in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder disability and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder is remanded due to the inability to verify a claimed stressor. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to have resulted from fear of enemy attack during his service in a high security area in Korea, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.