Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atonic neurogenic bladder after August 28, 2012. The Veteran is satisfied with the current rating assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning erectile dysfunction and dental disorder claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claim for an earlier effective date for IBS was dismissed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 27, 2012 for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded. The Board has also referred his claim for service connection for mood disorder, with mixed depression and anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely related to his in-service exposure. The issue of a higher rating for duodenitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hiatal hernia with erosion of teeth extending into dentine and dental caries is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected and his anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable criteria.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, for accrued benefits purposes. As such, these matters are dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's major depression with PTSD and chest rash rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 17, 2008 through April 16, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with affective disorder and depression is rated at 70 percent since June 24, 2012. The effective date for this rating remains August 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, back condition, and prostate cancer, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2010, to June 21, 2010, and since July 1, 2016. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met during these periods.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated lower lumbar disc is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis is not warranted. The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue is now before the Board for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder effective from November 24, 2004. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence submitted after the initial denial of his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss as a separate disability from his service-connected anxiety disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of a distinct memory disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted in a September 2010 rating decision, effective July 7, 2010. The earlier effective date of October 8, 1996 is granted based on the receipt of relevant official service department records that existed but had not been associated with the claims file when VA first decided the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and major depressive disorder not otherwise specified, finding that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a new examination and requested additional evidence to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The appeal is currently on hold for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to missing records and the need for additional development, including verification of combat stressors, a VA examination, and consideration of pre-service psychiatric conditions.