Depression Board decisions

The Board found that any acquired psychiatric disorder is neither related to service nor related to service-connected hepatitis, and therefore denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric condition, including Major Depressive Disorder with symptoms of PTSD and anxiety, finding that it is etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. As a result, the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from April 14, 2009 to February 4, 2014. His TDIU claim was also granted during this period.

The Veteran's major depression has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent warranting a higher initial rating. The current symptoms include depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances in motivation, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain service treatment records from Mannheim Army Hospital in Germany. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and/or schizoaffective disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The TDIU claim cannot be evaluated until the PTSD claim is resolved.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for depression and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD and depression, and his military service. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service sexual assault corroborates the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent since May 11, 2006. The Board finds that the disability picture for the period prior to October 2, 2006, more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service, and thus granted the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the absence of a diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant was also denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability resulting from loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is found to be service-connected. Sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities has not been established as a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining VA examinations regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric condition, bronchitis, and right leg condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as consideration of his TDIU claim.