Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression disorders, and a disability manifested by disturbance of sleep, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by in-service injury or incident. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran died from respiratory arrest/pneumonia, with underlying causes including congestive heart failure/coronary artery disease, renal failure, and multiple system atrophy (MSA). The service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. There is no evidence linking the metallic foreign bodies from gunshot wounds to MSA.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted service connection. His hypertension and shoulder disabilities were each granted a 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (depression with panic attacks) was granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 7, 2014.

The Veteran's current PTSD with depression had its onset during combat service, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded to obtain additional evidence, including VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizoaffective disorder. On de novo review, the Board finds that service connection is warranted for a variety of psychiatric disabilities including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it was decided on the merits and not based on new evidence or a presumption.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his employment history and a VA medical opinion evaluating the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the schedular criteria. The Board has granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to September 18, 2015 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's MDD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating from April 2, 2015.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has had a current diagnosis of anxiety at any time during the pendency of this appeal, and also against a finding that an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) was initially manifested during or is otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address certain findings on service separation examination.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability, allergic rhinitis, arthritis of the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The TDIU claim was also not addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records, arrange for examinations, and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service dates and obtain relevant medical records, particularly those from Maxwell Air Force Base Hospital. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and personality disorder.