Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as he is not in need of such assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected depression and any other psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the issue of an initial disability rating for depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, were not related to his service. The claim was denied as there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left leg/calf disability. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by depression, chronic sleep impairment, and anxiety, which results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for asthmatic bronchitis, acne, and depression. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing STRs and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a gynecological examination to determine the current severity of her gynecological condition, and scheduling a VA psychological examination to assess the severity of her major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 16, 2008.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are currently rated at 70 percent disabling since January 21, 2010. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Major Depression, Recurrent Moderate is not related to service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining in-service mental health records and private treatment records from Dr. Merritt, as these records are relevant to determining whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, mental stress and depression. The decision concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chest scars, heart damage, lung damage, esophageal damage, and infertility are all found to be related to her service-connected NHL. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be secondary to the NHL.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating for a service-connected disability. The current ratings do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining SSA records related to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms was rated at 70 percent prior to September 4, 2014. From that date, the rating was increased to 100 percent.,Effective from September 4, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for her major depressive disorder with anxiety symptoms.