Depression Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted effective May 30, 2013. The Board also determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 30, 2013 for his low back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, painful healed scar of the right forearm, and nonpainful healed scar of the right forearm.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression was not incurred in or caused by his period of honorable service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety), and headaches. The Veteran prevails in these reopened claims as his current disabilities are at least in equipoise with service connection.

The Veteran's daughter, C. B., has been diagnosed with scoliosis, anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, she was not shown to have been permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to attaining the age of 18 years.

The Veteran does not have current diagnosed TBI residuals or other service-connected conditions related to an in-service head injury. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Riverside Hospital and Social Security Administration. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to her service, but was not aggravated by it. Therefore, she is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and missing information in the Veteran's claim file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted, with the benefit of doubt favoring his claim due to the continuity of symptoms and consistent medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depression and panic disorder with agoraphobia, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis in lower cervical spine, arthritis right foot (status post crush injury and reconstructive surgery to right great toe), and degenerative joint disease, right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder with GAD and PTSD features did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to October 29, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chloracne and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is also denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and SSA disability benefits file. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is completed.