Depression decisions — 2014

The claims for service connection for a nervous condition/depression and left ankle injury were not granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms as described in the medical records. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for an initial compensable rating for dermatitis of the feet also failed to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of these claims as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, but also notes that he has a non-service-connected disability (depression) which may be contributing to his need for assistance. The decision is mixed as it grants special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance but does not grant housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of her TMJ syndrome, major depression, lumbar disc disease, and arachnoiditis.

The Veteran's depressive disorder not otherwise specified is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted. The claim for TDIU was denied due to the Veteran's failure to respond to requests for information needed to adjudicate his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a lung disability (to include COPD and emphysema) were denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the current diagnoses are not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss results in Level II hearing acuity, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, were aggravated by his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder was granted, and he is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, which he claims are secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, hearing loss, and insomnia. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and a new examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disability and depression have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder and psychiatric disorder (depression) were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for postoperative residuals of fusion at C6-7 for Klippel-Feil syndrome and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of psychiatric and left knee treatment since May 2012, arranging a new VA examination of his left knee, and readjudicating his claims.