Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been granted service connection due to his combat experience in the Persian Gulf War. The Board found that his symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, is not etiologically related to his active service. The weight of the competent evidence did not support a finding that schizophrenia with paranoia began during or was otherwise caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder, is not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service occurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a scheduling issue, and the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart problems, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea are pending.

The Veteran's undiagnosed depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is now rated at 50 percent since September 24, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 26, 2014. The effective date for this rating is not specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of a mood disorder and depressive disorder were not related to his service, including as secondary to PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inextricably intertwined issues and insufficient evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for depressive disorder, NOS as it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty.,The Board also finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hypertension as it did not become disabling within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, with a 100% rating for major depressive disorder since November 13, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not attributable to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to March 16, 2007, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim was not received within one year of his separation from active duty and no earlier specific claims were found.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected depression has been granted, with the effective date being November 15, 2012.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disability. His right knee disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying military service. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, as well as his right foot disability. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA will obtain SSA disability records and any relevant VA treatment records from the Loma Linda and Richmond VA healthcare systems.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an addendum opinion and further development due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and treatment records. The case is also remanded to obtain verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors involving a fellow serviceman being accidentally beheaded.