Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined effects medical opinion and consideration of all evidence of record.

The Board has expanded and recharacterized the issue as entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective bipolar manic disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claim is being remanded due to failure of the Appellant to appear for a VA examination and incomplete private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and service personal records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a compensable rating of 20% for hemorrhoids, effective September 22, 2016. The Veteran's in-service stressor is established as the death of his son, which led to PTSD. Hemorrhoids are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's lichen planus is rated at 60 percent, and his demyelinating polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity and left lower extremity are both rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent prior to November 16, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and for a VA examination to assess his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The claims of chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, and psychiatric disability are inextricably intertwined with the gynecological disability claim.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to June 24, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected right shoulder injury with bursitis, traumatic arthritis, and a history of subacromial decompression.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, which he claims is related to his in-service head injury and seizures, has been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence regarding whether a traumatic brain injury occurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of her major depressive disorder and whether she has a laryngeal disability. The RO will also schedule an examination to assess if her laryngeal condition is related to her mild vocal cord syndrome or military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of decision. The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer with impotence are rated at 40 percent, effective from August 25, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and securing VA and private treatment records. A VA examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence from SSA, as well as schedule him for a VA examination to assess his current headache severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and providing the Veteran with new VA examinations of her mental health and migraines.