Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, mood disorder, and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Veteran, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and substance-induced depressive disorder, are not related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for major depressive disorder with a rating of 70 percent effective February 1, 2001. The attorney's fees in the amount of $5,979.40 were awarded based on this grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining mental health clinic records from his period of service and a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current PTSD disability, and there is no evidence linking his current depression disability to service. The weight of the evidence supports finding that any psychiatric symptoms are related to a pre-existing personality disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service connected migraine headaches, and the Board finds that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated private medical records and scheduling a VA examination for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused virtual isolation in the community, totally incapacitating psychoneurotic symptoms, and the inability to obtain and retain employment. As a result, he is now rated at 100% for his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to clarify the Veteran's current diagnoses as they relate to mental health diagnostic criteria and to obtain adequate etiological opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denying separate ratings for radiculopathy. The left ankle sprain was also found to have moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his service connection claim and evaluation of a scar. The AOJ must verify if he was on guard duty at a medical clinic in Kuwait, conduct another VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and schedule an additional VA examination for the left acromioclavicular joint reconstruction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy and major depressive disorder are service-connected due to their aggravation by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. The RO will need to assign appropriate disability ratings based on these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were rated at 30% prior to June 10, 2010. From June 10, 2010 through August 3, 2010, the rating was increased to 50%. However, from August 4, 2010 onwards, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for clarification on whether he wishes to pursue a service connection claim for substance abuse as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression. If the Veteran wishes, an appropriate VA examination will be scheduled to determine if he has had a current diagnosis of substance abuse or a history of substance abuse at any time since January 2003 and whether it is at least as likely as not that such condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on in-service stressors. The neck disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and financial information. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner will be needed regarding her functional limitations due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD and related symptoms, including anxiety and depression.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than chronic adjustment disorder. The Board finds no indication in the record that his service connection for residuals of a TBI includes any psychiatric disability.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of right hand burns or their residuals. The Veteran's pre-service injury healed without complications and did not cause any ongoing issues.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus. His service entry examination noted the presence of bilateral pes planus, but there is no indication in the record that it worsened during his active duty service or caused any residuals.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of left femur fracture or its residuals. The Veteran's pre-service injury was not aggravated by his military service and he does not have ongoing symptoms related to this condition.