Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant was denied as she does not meet the criteria for assistance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's frontal bone fracture with scarring was rated at 30 percent, headaches at 50 percent, and major depressive disorder with memory loss at 70 percent combined to a total of 90 percent. However, the Veteran's symptoms prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, blood in urine/hematuria, and hypogonadism. The Veteran's PTSD and status post laminectomies L4-5 disabilities are currently rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of her delimiting date for receiving Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill is granted, as she was prevented from initiating or completing a chosen program of education due to her diagnosed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation since July 2, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection claims for migraines and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was restored to 70 percent, effective the date of the March 2015 examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active duty service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a diagnosed anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, both of which are less likely as not caused by or related to his conceded stressor of fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was denied as he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination without good cause, and his claim is based on service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals to address his claims for an increased rating for depressive disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical spine disorder are related to service, but his acquired psychiatric disability is not.,The Veteran's hair loss claim has no new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

From June 18, 2008 through September 4, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent.,From September 5, 2012 through February 26, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated in excess of 50 percent.,Since July 1, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The issues of an increased rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU are still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification on the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and Depression NOS. The VA examiner will need to determine if these diagnoses are related to service or not.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The reduction in disability rating for lumbar spine disability from 20% to 10% effective September 1, 2014 is found to be improper.

The Veteran's depression meets the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder and unspecified Anxiety Disorder, are not related to her military service. The right AC joint scar is currently evaluated at a non-compensable rating.