Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran is found as likely as not in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, which include DDD of the lumbar spine, depression, status-post right elbow lateral epicondylectomy with radial tunnel release residual with arthralgia, radiculopathy of right lower extremity, radiculopathy of left lower extremity, and scar residuals. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, a temporary 100% evaluation due to hospitalization for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder are related to his service, including symptoms he experienced during service such as a suicide attempt. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, has been found to result in total occupational and social impairment. As a result, the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and obtaining treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding his bilateral neuropathy of the feet and legs, major depressive disorder, chronic infections, and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as his symptoms are found to be related to combat exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, nor are they related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD. His depressive disorder is not shown by any competent medical evidence to be related to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been found to be related to her military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests that the Veteran provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from specific providers. The claim will be returned after this additional development is completed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 23, 2005. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and a review of her service-connected disabilities, as well as her non-service-connected conditions. The case will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to her military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia are found to have been incurred during service, granting the claim for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychotic disability, sleep apnea, and depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a psychotic disability or evidence linking it to military service. For sleep apnea, the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to military service. For depressive disorder, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating but were sufficient to deny an increased evaluation.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes insipidus and a psychiatric disorder, finding that his conditions are not related to military service.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain was denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 2000 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder as it was incurred during a period of active duty for training.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability related to service, and thus his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability rating for Eustachian tube dysfunction and increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a higher evaluation.