Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, Major Depressive Disorder, was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim of service connection for TBI was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. Other issues were either granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a vocational rehabilitation folder and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the evaluation issue.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's depression is considered part and parcel of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of a rating higher than 30 percent for depression prior to February 20, 2014 and a rating higher than 50 percent thereafter, as well as the claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for gynecomastia.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further verification of stressor events and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for the left ankle, and his back and psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to obtain additional evidence, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature of her acquired psychiatric disorder and its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities, and there was no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, is related to service or a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The claim will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety, acute panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depression, were not shown to be related to service or any in-service stressor. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot, left wrist, and left hand disabilities are not service-connected.,His low back and cervical spine conditions also do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran is found unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been granted service connection based on a verified in-service stressor. His right knee and low back disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not fully resolved as it remains on hold until further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations and the obtaining of additional medical records. The issues include claims for increased evaluations for fibromyalgia with irritable bowel syndrome and major depressive disorder, as well as a TDIU claim.