Depression Board decisions

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, which is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling from September 23, 2011 through September 1, 2015. The appeal for a higher initial rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD or any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders. The AOJ will also attempt to confirm any identified stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are related to his military service and thus warrant service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD due to new evidence showing these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA mental health treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess whether any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from August 1, 2008. The Board also found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected MDD, granting TDIU status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, is etiologically related to an in-service stressor event. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders remains pending. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder have rendered him unemployable, but the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate to support an adjudication on the merits. The case is REMANDED for another VA examination.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU. The evidence shows significant impairment in social functioning but no total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding causal linkage between service-connected acne and a current acquired psychiatric pathology, to include adjustment disorder with depressive features and generalized anxiety disorder. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of verified stressors. The Veteran did not engage in combat and there is no credible evidence supporting his allegations of witnessing prisoner beatings during service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD that may be present, including unspecified depressive disorder, panic disorder, insomnia, alcohol abuse, anxiety disorder and mood disorder. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether such acquired psychiatric disorder at least as likely as not had its onset in service or is causally related to an event in service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidence, including a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder and PTSD, is now before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depression have been granted. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his active service, as were his preexisting depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2013. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.