Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are properly adjudicated, including the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his own willful misconduct, and thus service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral knee disability did not undergo a permanent worsening during service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of panic disorder with agoraphobia and PTSD. The decision finds that there is a medical link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, and for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is remanded due to the need for further development regarding the alleged herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted from May 18, 2011.,The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pinguecula is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as a depressive disorder, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the right lower extremity is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the left lower extremity is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for the residuals of bronchopneumonia is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for defective vision is on appeal.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, along with other diagnosed conditions, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to May 21, 2009. The symptoms included nightmares, depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, memory loss, panic attacks, suicidal and homicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, difficulty concentrating, diminished interest in activities, intrusive thoughts, feelings of detachment, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty interacting with others.

The Veteran's depression has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that an increased rating to a higher disability rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with major depression and PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to July 1, 2005. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the period from August 24, 2004 to July 1, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and for a supplemental comment from the May 2015 VA examiner regarding the severity of his service-connected dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, particularly regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders, left foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 11, 2012 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of coronary artery disease is granted and rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD with a depressive disorder is granted and rated at 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and eye disorder manifested by loss of sight, and these claims are reopened.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and eye disorder manifested by loss of sight, and these claims are reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bradycardia is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left renal cyst is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, requesting Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and providing the Veteran with a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorder is September 8, 2011. The Veteran's claim was received on this date, which is later than when he had been diagnosed with these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and major depressive disorder is granted due to the Veteran's credible testimony regarding her in-service sexual assault stressor. The evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.