Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding his current diagnoses of PTSD and depressive disorder NOS.

The Veteran's claim for anxiety disorder was reopened and granted. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is related to active service.,Service connection for PTSD is not established because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder with major depressive-like episode, is proximately due to service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, depressive disorder NOS, and major depressive disorder with anxious features, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused or hastened by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, and specifically does not find evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete development of records. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case after any additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,VA did not find any fault on their part for the Veteran's post-operative pain resulting from hemorrhoid surgery.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD are not related to service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 and granted his claim for VA benefits as a helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 22, 2011 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent from August 22, 2011 to the present.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to his service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability including PTSD, depressive disorder, and panic disorder without agoraphobia is rated at 70 percent. His cognitive disorder with a history of post-concussion syndrome has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee and associated foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder is rated at 70% since April 13, 2015.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20% since February 20, 2015.,The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30% since February 20, 2015.,The Veteran's hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet remains rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to credible supporting evidence of a sexual assault during service and medical opinions linking his current conditions to this stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is best diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia, and any other conditions are considered comorbid symptoms of this primary condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 6, 2014.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are better explained by substance abuse rather than service connection. The claim for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran's diagnosed conditions are not related to his active duty service.