Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from September 30, 2009. The Board finds that the disability picture more nearly approximates a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his left thumb disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to a scheduling issue. The Board will reschedule the Veteran for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on any of the individual claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disorder are moot.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as pre-existing and not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder should be September 28, 1982.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back and right side disability, as well as for a psychiatric disorder. These claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and address the submitted material. The case will be re-adjudicated after the new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, back problems, and emphysema are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, including prostate cancer. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder) secondary to Tourette's syndrome and for Tourette's Syndrome are addressed in the remand following this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and scheduling a VA examination to assess her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression and right leg varicose veins were denied. The claim for service connection for left leg varicose veins was not addressed as it is related to the exposure basis, which is not applicable in this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.