Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent since May 13, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, including his now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a head injury.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service and whether it was made in error or is currently in remission. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is not related to his active service and may not be presumed due to a lack of evidence of psychosis within one year of discharge. As such, the claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is denied.

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.