Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and her major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The TDIU claim was granted effective from May 1, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with alcohol dependence prior to January 16, 2014 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. Since June 26, 2013, his conditions manifested in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, alcoholism, and back disability are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to potential worsening of his service-connected left foot condition and the need to clarify the relationship between his depression and his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder should be diagnosed. The TDIU claim will also be addressed in this process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorder related to service, whether he has GERD that is related to his military service or one of his service-connected disabilities, and whether he currently has pterygium in both eyes. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pterygium will also be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's current upper, middle and lower back disabilities are found to be related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 7, 2012. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed as the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD has been resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is not related to his service-connected basal cell carcinoma and therefore, he cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an eating disorder, to include anorexia; her eating difficulties are attributed to her service-connected fibromyalgia and depression. The Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for separate service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is service-connected. His insomnia is not service-connected but is considered a symptom of his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety and mild cognitive impairment, is found to be a result of his service-connected left eye condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain have been granted. The initial ratings for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain are also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 6, 2010. The RO found that his disability met the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD with severe major depressive disorder, with psychotic features was denied as there were no valid NODs or new and material evidence submitted within the one-year appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.