Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide the Veteran with VA examinations for his right ring finger and left knee disabilities, and determine if he has any current skin disorders. The service connection theory remains as direct.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 11, 2010 for a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring that all actions are taken in accordance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders are related to personality disorder, which was not superimposed during service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, an evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation specialist to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities, and consideration of the provided opinions.

The Veteran was granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective January 7, 2008. The Board also granted TDIU benefits since January 14, 2003 and denied the remaining claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and cholecystectomy were denied due to lack of material evidence. The claim for an increased rating for internal derangement, left knee, postoperative with synovitis was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder as part of the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, and he is now eligible for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and providing an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his diagnosed depressive disorder or anxiety disorder are not related to his military service, including any alleged stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied because his first communication expressing intent to seek this benefit was received on April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including the medications prescribed for such disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be causally related to his period of military service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder, but not for the left knee disorder or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Depression as secondary to MS, and Tinnitus due to MS. Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss is denied.

The evidence shows that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, have resulted in only occasional occupational and social impairment with intermittent decreases in work efficiency. The current rating of 30 percent is deemed sufficient to reflect these symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum to the August 2012 VA examination report.

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