Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and secondary service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and obtaining an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, hepatitis C, and major depressive disorder are service-connected. The Veteran is assigned a 70 percent rating for his major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 30 percent since January 4, 2010. The VA examiner found the Veteran to have occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, unprovoked irritability with periods of violence, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty establishing effective relationships, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is claimed as PTSD. The Veteran's claim was reopened and a new diagnosis of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder was provided.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for hepatitis C. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for depression or flashbacks, and there are no service-connected disabilities to qualify for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and/or sleeping disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since December 23, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing at his local VA Regional Office.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her hysterectomy residuals was denied, and she is not entitled to TDIU due to the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder were denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor event in service, and the current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to service, and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, requires further development due to incomplete information.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a proper medical examination and address the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if any of his diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and anxiety. The evidence shows a link between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his current psychiatric disability. Therefore, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, previously evaluated as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was granted a 70 percent rating effective July 16, 2014. The disability caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder and depression, is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.