Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was found to warrant a 70% evaluation effective January 30, 2013. The symptoms were present prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculitis of the left leg disabilities. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right leg is also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear duty status and need for further medical examinations. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's headaches, depression, and right ear hearing loss are all found to be related to service. Tinnitus is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 1, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted service connection and rated at 50 percent since November 3, 2008. The rating for his major depressive disorder is not addressed as it was not assigned a specific rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for higher initial disability ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, and for allergic rhinitis. Her appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) is also dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depression, is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically status post resection of lymph node, right neck, with residual painful paresthesias over scar and tinnitus. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployability is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's TENS unit and right knee brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, which resulted in a clothing allowance for the year 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, neck disability, and left knee disability. The claim for increased rating of major depressive disorder from December 16, 2003 to July 16, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a TDIU examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased rating for headaches and if he qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another due to his disabilities, including from his back disorder and left ankle fracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, is not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been resolved in his favor with the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with dysthymia and sleep problems, and a 50 percent rating effective from July 1, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and variously diagnosed to include a depressive disorder, based on new evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of a depressive disorder, which he attributes to his military service.