Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 28, 2015. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion addressing whether his service-connected conditions aggravated his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and anxiety, granting his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify stressor events and obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's chronic kidney condition, left leg mass, and depression were not found to be related to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's special monthly pension is granted based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his mental or physical incapacity resulting from diagnosed conditions including dementia, depression, and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and ensure compliance with prior instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, did not begin during or due to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to April 30, 2013. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in severe impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since May 10, 2010. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia and PTSD, did not begin during service or are otherwise related to service. The genitourinary disability claim is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 13, 2009, when she sought to associate her major depressive disorder with her service-connected migraine headaches. The Court vacated and remanded this decision, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be granted as there was no evidence prior to February 2009 showing a connection between the Veteran's major depressive disorder and her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD and has also granted him service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence provided since the previous denial in 2007.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for a higher disability rating of 70 percent or more for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified. As a result, the Board dismissed her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a mental health examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals of lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired mental disorder (presumably including cognitive disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS), seizure disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability. The claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss was denied as the Veteran's hearing did not meet VA criteria for hearing loss. The claims for an increased rating for bilateral knee disability and entitlement to TDIU were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, that can be related to his period of active duty military service.