Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied depressive disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to an effective date of January 6, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since October 13, 2009. The rating was increased from the previous 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, finding that both conditions are related to an in-service assault. The Veteran's claims for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including paranoid schizophrenia, neurosis, and depression, was denied. The evidence submitted did not show that a mental disorder began in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including whether it is related to service stressors or pre-existing conditions. The decision also notes that efforts should be made to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, cardiac disorder (status post myocardial infarction), and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has any current or past diagnoses of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examiner must also provide opinions on whether his conditions are related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia and PTSD as the Veteran's symptoms are already associated with his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded as there are questions regarding the nature and cause of his incapacity that have not been adequately addressed in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2004.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for nonservice-connected pension and cervical spine disability. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a mental disorder claimed as anxiety disorder, chronic adjustment disorder, depression and sleep disturbance. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of depressive disorder, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to possibly include PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues, specifically the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) regarding his adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions like marijuana and alcohol dependence, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined disability rating is at least 80 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and she is entitled to SMC based on this need. The effective date for her entitlement to housebound status is December 11, 2013.