Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to grant a higher rating. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a VA mental disorders examination to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new medical examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service or other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, and dysthymia was previously rated at 30 percent. The VA increased the rating to 50 percent effective October 8, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits information and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since February 2008, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disability, and depression as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has decided that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for urinary tract infections and prostatitis are remanded as the evidence does not provide sufficient information on their etiology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and an initial evaluation for major depressive disorder with PTSD was granted. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for the psychiatric disability is being remanded.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, which is the highest possible evaluation under the applicable criteria. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further review by the VA Compensation and Pension Service due to her service-connected disabilities, which include multiple conditions such as endometriosis, asthma, depression, degenerative disc disease, vertigo, radiculopathy, ovarian cysts, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The case will be referred back for an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and headache disorder are granted service connection as they are related to their active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and readjudication of all issues. The RO must also issue a Statement of the Case addressing new claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depression, is granted service connection due to a link between his combat experiences in Iraq and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression with PTSD and panic disorder is related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the impact of his service-connected psychiatric disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain employment.