Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent panic attacks, disturbances in motivation and mood, and social isolation. With resolution of the doubt in his favor, his service-connected anxiety disorder is characterized by these symptoms warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for new VA examinations and retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) for the entire period on appeal, resulting in a grant of his claim. His entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, which is related to her service. She also had a current diagnosis of uncomplicated bereavement.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral shin splints disability.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and genital herpes do not render her unemployable, as she is currently working part-time and missing one day of work per month due to her symptoms. The Board finds that the evidence does not suggest the Veteran is incapable of performing the physical and mental acts required for gainful employment.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities and finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left leg disabilities. Therefore, the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, verifying stressors, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability present.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's military service in Panama is confirmed, and his diagnoses of PTSD with depression and panic disorder are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if his psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including whether it at least as likely as not first manifested during ACDUTRA or is otherwise related to his ACDUTRA. The case will be returned for further review after the examination.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for an anxiety disorder with depression claimed as PTSD is April 1, 2008. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tension headaches are causally related to his service-connected depression, and the Board is granting service connection for these headaches as secondary to the service-connected depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected chronic bronchitis and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected recurrent major depression due to insufficient evidence regarding maximum exercise capacity.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to verify the Veteran's alleged stressor event in service and to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding his psychiatric disability. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders and pulmonary disorder are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any diagnosed conditions began during his active service.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's currently diagnosed thyroid disorder due to lack of in-service disease and failure to relate it to herbicide exposure.