Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, neck trauma and lower back conditions. The Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination regarding his right eye condition.

The Board has determined that the case is inextricably intertwined and must be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypertension examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues on appeal are whether service connection can be established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a skin disability, or bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder was granted, with a 50 percent disability evaluation effective August 4, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization from May 22, 2012, to June 12, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a PTSD examination to assess the severity of his condition. The TDIU claim will also be reviewed.

The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, are found to be related to events during his service. After resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and TDIU was granted with effective dates of June 13, 2005. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a psychiatric disability, to include depression. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining VA examination and etiological opinions regarding service connection claims for ear disability, psychiatric disorder, and low back disability. The Veteran's alleged stressors need to be verified by the JSRRC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and in-service hospital records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to January 13, 2004 was denied as his service-connected hearing loss alone did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since April 20, 2009.,TDIU was granted effective from April 20, 2009. Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits were also awarded on the same effective date.

The Board has remanded the case back to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining treatment records from the Jackson VA Medical Center since 2009. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 3, 2010. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his military service, and he is unable to work due to these conditions. The Board has granted a TDIU from May 29, 2012 to October 30, 2013.

The Veteran's character of discharge for his final period of service from March 1997 to February 2008 is a bar to VA benefits due to the commission of offenses during that period resulting in a dishonorable discharge. The appeal has been withdrawn with respect to several issues.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of a compensable evaluation for an abdominal hernia and total disability rating based on individual unemployability remain pending. The Veteran's mental health condition is currently under consideration.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and headaches are found to be related to his service-connected tinnitus. Parkinson's disease is not established as a result of herbicide exposure or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims regarding his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.