Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected conditions and alcoholism, as well as any sleep apnea. The issues of TDIU and service connection for peripheral neuropathy are also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date, finding that no communication prior to November 2, 2009 could be interpreted as a formal or informal petition to reopen the PTSD with major depression claim. The Veteran's original claim was denied in December 2001 and did not include any new evidence. Subsequent attempts to reopen were also unsuccessful.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and whether reductions in disability ratings were proper. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU prior to September 18, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a medical opinion, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of facts pertinent to his claims, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, shoulder arthritis, major depressive disorder, and a healed perforation of the tympanic membrane, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and cognitive impairments.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial disability rating for major depressive disorder prior to April 5, 2004.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing. The primary issue remains the claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding his employment status and functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression, cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during his honorable period of service from September 1981 to September 1984.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depression have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, social relations, and mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent initial rating for these conditions prior to August 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining federal records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability had its onset in service or is otherwise related.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, suicidal ideation, or neglect of personal appearance and hygiene.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is found to be related to his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae with scars (PFB).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied this claim. The spine disability claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The Veteran's tinnitus is also found to be related to his military service, and he was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.,Service connection for these conditions has been established.