Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but he is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing one automobile or other conveyance due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymia, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 100 percent effective March 13, 2012. The Veteran's vascular headaches have been rated at 50 percent effective September 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and special monthly compensation based on homebound status.

The claim for service connection of a right knee disability was denied. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and panic disorder) is granted as secondary to tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for Meniere's syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the possibility of secondary service connection. The initial rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and TDIU claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his TDIU claim has been granted. The initial rating for major depressive disorder remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol-related disorder, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. The claims for service connection for dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service connection claims for depression and anxiety, as well as a need for an opinion on whether his current psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his depressive disorder and for TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the depressive disorder, as it did not demonstrate significant impairment in work or social functioning.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination to address the full scope of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their possible relationship to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for major depressive disorder, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and a need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and evaluations are needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and left hand DJD. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective October 14, 2016. The rating remains in effect for the entire duration of the appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been raised and requires further examination.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's depression and anxiety are related to his service, as he contends.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left calf muscle disability, right elbow disability, colon cancer, erectile dysfunction, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has PTSD. A VA examination is needed to clarify this issue and determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD or unspecified depressive disorder, was caused by service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with history of dysthymic disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his claim for an increased rating warrants a grant of service connection effective June 5, 1995.