Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address his right-sided hemiparesis and residuals of a traumatic head injury.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder also claimed as secondary to the service connected chronic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board denied service connection for a gynecological disorder, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection.,There is no evidence of any gynecological disorders during or immediately following service. Hypertension was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied, and the low back disability appeal was withdrawn by his representative. The PTSD claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, verify claimed stressors, and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more and his combined service-connected disabilities are rated at 90 percent. The evidence demonstrates that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is based on new and material evidence submitted after the previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and recurrent major depression have been rated based on their impact on his occupational and social functioning. The initial rating of 50% for PTSD prior to June 3, 2015, reflects the severity of symptoms consistent with reduced reliability and productivity due to mild to moderate impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood prior to February 9, 2009 is rated at 30 percent due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment on April 29, 2010. The Board grants an effective date of April 29, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination in connection with his claim of service connection for a nervous disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been granted service connection and is currently rated at 30 percent since July 30, 2010. The current rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, claimed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to pending service connection claims. The Veteran has claimed service connection for various conditions, including malaria, injuries from a vehicle accident, and placement on 'suicide watch'.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a hernia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hemorrhoids. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected depression, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.