Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and dementia, along with his secondary alcohol dependence, contributed to his death from renal failure due to encephalopathy. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disability was a contributory cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and examination, including an opinion on whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred or aggravated in ADT service and denied his claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability of depression had its onset during active service, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is now rated at 40 percent from May 26, 2015, resolving his appeal for a higher rating. His TDIU claim remains pending as he meets the schedular criteria but may require further consideration due to additional service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive and cognitive disorders is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 23, 2012. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the condition prior to that date. As a result, the issue of entitlement to TDIU remains moot.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, are currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impaired short- and long-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective relationships. Effective June 1, 2010, the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities warrant a disability evaluation of 70 percent.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the initial ratings of major depression with PTSD, migraine headaches, vertigo, and left eye macular on retinal detachment, status post buckle procedure.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, and his post gastrectomy disability is rated at 60 percent. The Board granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not filed within 60 days of the October 2008 rating decision, and no request for extension of time to file an appeal was submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from June 30, 2010 to July 14, 2014. The symptoms included disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for depression NOS was granted, with an effective date of December 27, 2012. Service connection for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) was denied.

The Veteran's request for service connection for PTSD and depression has been remanded due to an outstanding VA hearing request. The appeal will be reconsidered after the scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to October 3, 2005 were not granted due to his disabilities not meeting the percentage requirements for consideration of permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is not found to be related to his military service and therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, secondary to her service-connected GERD is being remanded due to the need for a VA addendum opinion on whether her current psychiatric disorders are aggravated by her service-connected GERD.

The Board has vacated the June 2015 remand and dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent since October 3, 2012. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, intermittent panic attacks, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination to address his claims.