Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify specific PTSD stressors and other aspects of the Veteran's service history.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was first diagnosed more than one year following service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for depression and upper extremity neuropathy was granted, while his TDIU claim was also granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for each of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are caused by a military sexual trauma (MST) during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions. The issue of NSC pension is remanded due to other nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of depression was granted with an effective date of February 27, 1981. This is the earliest possible effective date as it is the day VA received his informal claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection. The hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 2, 2013 at JPI were not for an emergent condition and did not meet the prudent layperson standard. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to his military sexual trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service and are not proximately due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a disability manifested by fatigue are denied as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and tinnitus. As such, the Board dismisses these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 6, 2006 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that service connection is not warranted for any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression symptoms resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine his periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, and to schedule him for a VA examination to evaluate the relationship between any current disabilities (lumbar spine disability, chronic pain, and/or depression) and his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The issues of an increased rating for depressive disorder and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's depression is caused by his service-connected right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities, thus service connection for depression has been granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection are being remanded as they involve complex medical determinations.