Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with Depression was rated at 30% prior to May 12, 2010 and increased to 50% thereafter. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's depression and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed major depression is causally related to service, and the Board grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus and whether any diagnosed mental disorders are caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claims file should also be returned to the July 2010 examiner for an addendum opinion regarding the pre-existence and aggravation of any acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder NOS).

The Veteran's major depression was found to have its onset during service and is therefore granted as service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety/mood disorders. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records of hospitalizations during the claim period and requested an addendum opinion from a psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the etiology of each diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's current hiatal hernia was not manifest in service, is unrelated to service, and is not caused by or related to his service-connected bilateral lower extremity varicose veins with deep venous insufficiency or bilateral foot frostbite residuals. His acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was first shown many years after service, is unrelated to service, and is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral lower extremity varicose veins, deep venous insufficiency, and/or foot frostbite residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for hyperlipidemia, ear disorder to include vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder to include a compulsive disorder and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for chronic generalized rash, service connection for asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, and alcohol dependence with depression. The evidence did not show that any increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the receipt of his claim on May 2, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically depression. The evidence now includes treatment records reflecting diagnoses other than depression which may be related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankle problems, left hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The decision is mixed as it grants some issues but denies others.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder prior to the Board's decision. The TDIU issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression, is found to be related to service. The foot fungus diagnosis of onychomycosis was also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities and therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses is denied as the VA did not provide prior authorization and he had private health insurance covering his treatment.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disability from September 30, 1952 to November 30, 1988 has been dismissed as the Board does not have jurisdiction over this issue due to procedural issues with prior decisions and appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current tinnitus began during active service. The effective date of TDIU remains under review, with a request to refer the issue to the Director of Compensation and Pension (C&P) for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and/or chronic fatigue syndrome. For the period from December 2001 to August 2003, he was not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder; however, for the period from May 15, 2006 onwards, his chronic fatigue syndrome warranted a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to an inadequate VA examination in July 2012. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS.