Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been denied. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is already assigned, so no higher rating can be granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including whether any are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar/manic depression, has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and other procedural issues. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of upper extremities, and neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the March 2010 VA examiner or a new examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist if available. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his depressive disorder and service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as assessing his occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including cervical spine or neck condition, thoracolumbar spine or back condition, bilateral eye disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and GERD, prostate condition with incontinence, recurring skin lesions and sores, migraine headaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent disability rating, and has granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not granted, but his depression has been rated at 50%.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic adjustment disorder was rated as 50 percent disabling prior to October 4, 2013 and 70 percent disabling since then. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 70% since the initial grant of service connection. The current level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with depression is dismissed as a freestanding claim, and there is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior decisions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression, as well as sexual problems. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was due to his own willful misconduct and not service-connected conditions. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations, and affording the Veteran an opportunity to appear at a hearing.

The Veteran's IED with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 25, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating based on his symptoms of impaired impulse control such as unprovoked irritability and periods of violence.

The Veteran's temporomandibular joint dysfunction had onset in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he requires the regular assistance of another person in activities of daily living, protection from ordinary hazards, bedridden status, or restricted to home due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a variety of psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. The appeal seeking treatment eligibility under the PACT Act was withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his service-connected renal cell carcinoma, left kidney status post nephrectomy (to include urinary incontinence), and because of the need to obtain any recent VA treatment records. Additionally, the issue of individual unemployability (TDIU) is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim being remanded.