Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's depression has been found to be aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and the claim for service connection is granted. However, TDIU remains pending as it may need further consideration based on the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for coronary artery disease since September 24, 2014 and has also found service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the December 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and mood disorder NOS, as well as obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The case is now to be readjudicated with a supplemental VA medical opinion addressing whether any current psychiatric disability was aggravated by the service-connected hysterectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is not service-connected as his symptoms existed prior to service and were aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, which is consistent with a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 8, 2010.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective from April 8, 2010.

The Veteran's death in August 2010 was not related to a service-connected disability or service, and the Board finds no basis to grant service connection for any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's recurrent skin lesions and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS have been granted service connection, and the Veteran has also received a 50% disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The issues of increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The abdominal scars have been rated as 10 percent disabling for pain.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD with chronic MDD and hypothyroidism were denied as he did not file an informal or formal claim prior to February 9, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent since December 17, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 3, 2016.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is found to be etiologically related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disorder.