Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and he is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence following his back surgery is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and paranoid schizophrenia. This includes obtaining VA treatment records from September 2015 to the present, scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination, and ensuring all pertinent laws and regulations are considered in the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his condition warranted a 70 percent disability rating prior to July 11, 2014, and a 100 percent disability rating as of that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with depression, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it was aggravated during active service. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, skin disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral flat feet are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal disturbance with duodenal ulcer is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA retrospective medical opinion regarding which of his mental disorders are attributable to his service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is at least in equipoise with service connection. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent. The VA examiner concluded that the combined effect of these conditions results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing. The TDIU claim will be considered further.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a validly diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left hip disorder, left leg condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression), and migraine headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was manifested during his period of active military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to reschedule a previously scheduled Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability aggravated his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical examination, and a new examination is needed to assess the nature, extent, and etiology of any psychiatric disorders from which the Veteran suffers. The examiner must also discuss whether it is at least as likely as not that any identified psychiatric disorders are related to the Veteran's service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is also being remanded for additional development.