Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his treatment records from Reynolds Army Community Hospital and scheduling him for a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and prostate cancer were denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, while his residuals of prostate cancer are rated as 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depression has been rated at 50% since May 13, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating was granted but not for a higher level of disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his dementia, PTSD, depression, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, personality disorder, depressive disorder, polysubstance abuse, and panic disorder has been reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for a psychosis or other mental illness for the purpose of establishing eligibility for medical treatment only under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1702 is rendered moot by reason of an equal or greater benefit having been established by reason of the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claimed mental disorders, including PTSD, are not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found that the diagnoses of schizotypal personality disorder, OCD, anxiety, and depression were not established during service or due to combat exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from June 6, 2013. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's acquired mental disorder, specifically major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, has not met the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's knee pain on October 22, 2009 was considered an emergency requiring immediate medical attention. As VA facilities were not feasibly available due to the distance and his wife's disability, reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses at Conway Regional Hospital is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as he does not have a penis deformity. His claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder is remanded due to the submission of new evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and other conditions. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression did not have onset during service and is not related to an injury, disease, or event in service. The VA examiner concluded that while the Veteran was frustrated about his prostate cancer residuals, these matters did not seem to represent a significant part of his ongoing dysphoria.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been granted a 50 percent disability rating effective September 22, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his claimed skin disorder and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is currently rated at 50 percent, which grants a higher rating than the initial 10% assigned in 1981. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disability.