Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to January 9, 2009 was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, sleep disturbances, tearfulness, irritability, and social withdrawal. Total impairment was not shown.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from August 30, 2001 to April 15, 2012. The symptoms were not severe enough to warrant an increased rating.

The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, thus he is entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, but reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder. Service connection was not established for any condition.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety and major depressive disorder had their onset during service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected depression and migraine headaches. The Board also finds that the Veteran's temporomandibular disorder, migraine headaches, and major depressive disorder disabilities warrant increased ratings.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and lumbar spine disability. The Board also finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating effective September 6, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for osteoporosis and/or arthritis, as well as his service connection claim for depression (claimed as secondary to the above conditions), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran is granted service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected trigeminal neuralgia. Her TDIU claim from April 1, 2012 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA records and requesting Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he used leg braces which caused wear and tear on his clothing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed MDD and PTSD are etiologically related to service, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service, including a claimed in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of a right ankle disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not fully comply with income reporting requirements necessary for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and examining the Veteran by a qualified VA mental disorders examiner to determine if he has PTSD or any psychiatric disorder related to military service or to any service-connected disorders.