Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 17, 2013. The disability rating of 50 percent was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the Louisville, Kentucky RO. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and requests to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's mother and a private medical opinion. The case will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case to comply with the August 2011 Joint Motion, and further appellate review is required.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression and alcohol abuse has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for residuals of SFW of the right lower extremity with Muscle Group (MG) XI damage and with retained foreign bodies (RFBs) was also denied.

The Veteran is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar spinal condition. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, incurred in or aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unable to timely file his appeal due to mental health issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depression.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and special monthly compensation were denied. The lung cancer residuals did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, while the depressive disorder warranted an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD with MDD, which is attributable to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination and provide any additional records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive disorder is not related to service. The claim for secondary service connection for depressive disorder due to coronary artery disease will be remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected disease or injury, and also to consider the TDIU claim in light of this new information.