Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder are found to be related to her service-connected disabilities.,Bladder incontinence is not considered secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran is competent to manage his VA funds without limitation and restores his competency status for VA benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, and the left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously rated at 20 percent before being increased to 40 percent effective November 29, 2013. The rating for major depression remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

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

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 6, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU were denied as there is no evidence indicating that he filed a claim before this date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depressive disorder and mood disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of her claim for alcohol dependence. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen her claims for depression, headaches, fibromyalgia, a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome), and awarded service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's basic eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits have been met, and he is granted the award of nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, peripheral vestibular disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and depression are not causally or etiologically due to service, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected seizure disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, manifested during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right index finger fracture are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing such disabilities were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the relationship between his psychiatric disorders and service or any related disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is linked to his fear of hostile military action during his Vietnam service, and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depression does not produce total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD with depressive disorder NOS, was found to be manifested by symptoms that equate to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to March 6, 2014. This warrants a rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury due to new evidence. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current mental health disabilities, including whether they are related to service or aggravated by service.