Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders have been granted service connection, with a rating of 10 percent prior to January 12, 2012, and increased to 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including blurred vision, night sweats, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depression and anxiety), residuals of frostbite of the ears, and low back disorder. The decision is based on a finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to new evidence received since a final denial, including VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an anxiety disorder is reopened, but his PTSD claim remains pending. A psychiatric examination is needed to determine if he has PTSD related to service events, and a knee examination is required to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA mental disorders examination to clarify diagnoses and determine whether any current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder causes significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 100% effective as of February 6, 2012. The VA Office of General Counsel and the appellant's attorney requested that the Court vacate the portions of the Board's June 2012 decision that denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder and denied a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, depression, arthritis of the shoulders, hands, and hips, memory loss (small vessel brain disease), headaches, macular degeneration, dry eyes, and flat feet have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or manifest within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms are indicative of reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the period since October 9, 2012 remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from the University of Utah.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his currently-diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not related to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including panic disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder is not related to his service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) remains pending.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative changes of the spine and sacroiliac joints, finding that severance was improper. Service connection for conjunctivitis is granted as it is related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and all issues are dismissed.