Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete copies of VA examinations. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and possibly schedule a hearing. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities was denied as there is no competent evidence of a connection between the conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction secondary to chronic lumbar strain, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining private psychiatric records from Drs. Peck and Miller.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression has been granted, but only at a noncompensable (10%) rating. The appeal is for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and pain disorder, was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to January 1, 2009. Since then, it has met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for depressive disorder and chronic headaches of the migraine type have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was reopened and granted, with the disability found to be related to his service-connected low back disability.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression and alcohol dependence was rated at 50 percent from December 1, 2008 to July 20, 2010. From October 1, 2010 onwards, the disability rating remained at 70 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal seeking restoration of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and SMC on account of loss of use of a creative organ. The case will be remanded to obtain updated treatment records, SSA records, and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder, has been characterized by depression, anxiety, trouble concentrating, episodic passive suicidal and homicidal ideation, nightmares, memory loss, and hyperarousal. For the entire increased rating period, it has not met the criteria for a 70 percent or higher disability rating under DC 9411.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on her combined rating of 70% due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder meets the schedular threshold requirements for consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, but her condition does not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.