Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically recurrent major depressive disorder, is found to be attributable to service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records related to Parkinson's disease and any SSA records. An addendum opinion from the October 2016 VA examiner will be obtained regarding the etiology of his alcohol and cocaine abuse disorders. A VA psychiatric examination will also be conducted to consider the severity of all service-connected psychiatric disabilities in determining whether they impact substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2016. The effective date for this rating increase is July 26, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since January 12, 2010. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression. The evidence is at least in equipoise to support a causal link between her military sexual trauma and current PTSD symptoms. However, there is no established link between her in-service depressive episode and her current diagnosis of depression.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded for additional development on other issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, stress disorder, and personality disorder as there are no current diagnoses upon which to base these claims.

The Veteran's current diagnosed depression and PTSD are not linked to an in-service stressor or disease, and the Board finds that service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and has determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of circumcision surgery. His anxiety disorder with major depression is rated at 100% since December 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the relationship between his current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and his military service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires the aid and attendance of another person to protect him in his daily environment due to service-connected disabilities. As such, entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased disability rating for his psychiatric disabilities, and the Board is dismissing this matter.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders are related to his mother's death and identifying her body during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing to address his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to the service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depression and dysthymic disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling for the period prior to February 22, 2017.,Fibromyalgia was initially rated at 40 percent from December 13, 2012 to October 6, 2014. The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated as 20 percent disabling for the period prior to December 13, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent on and after October 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include reopening claims for various conditions, but the status of some claims and service connection theory are unknown.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the Veteran's claims for depression, migraine headaches, syncope, and hypertension. The appeal is REMANDED.