Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional development. The claims for service connection for anxiety, depressive disorder, and irregular heartbeat are all pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing records and order a VA examination for his psychiatric condition and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disorders are currently rated at 20 percent each, effective from September 2011. The highest schedular evaluations for these conditions have already been assigned.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was rated at 30 percent prior to December 4, 2014. From December 4, 2014, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for defective vision, memory loss, fatigue, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability that can be attributed to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence and an inadequate VA opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and clarification on his diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depression was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. His claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, bilateral knee tendonitis, bilateral foot hallux valgus, and flatfeet remain on appeal.

The Board has expanded the issue to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 60 percent for his coronary artery disease since March 29, 2012.,Service connection has been established for depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an incomplete hearing transcript, and a new videoconference hearing will be scheduled for the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotence and priapism) are granted. The Veteran is also awarded a temporary total evaluation for hospital treatment in excess of 21 days due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relation to service, as well as other issues related to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and a depressive disorder, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation and earlier effective date for total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder warranted a 70 percent rating prior to August 30, 2013, and as of that date.