Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of service connection for schizophrenia, depression, and headaches are also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. However, she meets the requirements for TDIU due to her service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran has been found unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was a contributing cause of his death.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent, effective from November 14, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be the result of or proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that recovery of the overpayment in the amount of $31,525.27 is against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's financial hardship and because considering his spouse's income would defeat the purpose of the VA pension program.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive disorder is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge and failed to establish a nexus between his current condition and service. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for additional development, including a new examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disabilities present. The Veteran's lay statements and service medical records are considered in this regard.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis and vision loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and headaches have been granted. The claim for increased rating for right cornea scar has also been granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including consideration of additional VA treatment records submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his period of active service, and the Board finds service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are causally related to his military service in Vietnam. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities was withdrawn. The claim for headaches, to include migraines, is denied as there is no evidence that the current headache disorder began during or is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip disability and an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran does not have a current hip disability or any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.