Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability and major depressive disorder are found to be the principal cause of his death. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance/housebound status is granted, as well as service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia, including depressive disorder NOS and as secondary to service-connected schizophrenia, needs further examination. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the Veteran’s depressive disorder NOS is related to service, if it was aggravated by his service-connected schizophrenia, and if any current acquired psychiatric disability (other than schizophrenia) represents aggravation of a superimposed disease upon a developmental personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, need further evaluation by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the April 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's depression is being evaluated again, and an opinion on whether his personality disorder was aggravated by his depression will also be provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to her service-connected disabilities. The endometriosis disability rating reduction was improper and the prior rating of 30% is restored.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and for additional psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claims are granted to this extent.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist conditions.

The Veteran's spouse is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on her need for aid and attendance due to multiple disabling conditions, including lumbar disc disease, cervical disc disease, major depression, and radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and investigation due to concerns about the accuracy of previous examinations, the Veteran's testimony regarding his PTSD symptoms, and the lack of documentation regarding the discontinuance of VR&E Services.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his initial active duty training (ACDUTRA) military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability and remanded it for further development. The psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) claim is also being remanded, but the hypertension rating claim remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability and depressive disorder. The effective date for the award of service connection for depressive disorder is set at December 9, 1998.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and major depressive disorder. The Veteran was not provided with an examination or opinion regarding her hypertension, as there are outstanding records of her periods of active duty, inactive duty training (INACTDUTRA), and active duty for training (ACTDUTRA). Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of her major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depression, and panic disorder have been rated at 50 percent since November 13, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression was granted, effective February 15, 2008. The decision is based on the new evidence received after his initial claim and VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims for left leg and low back disabilities. The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claims of myopia, heart disability, and prostate cancer is denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for depression was also denied.