Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in significant social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation. The Board also found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected depression, granting TDIU.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD was denied, and his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cardiomyopathy with chronic congestive heart failure, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder are granted. The claim for hernias is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for updated VA treatment records, as well as a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development to assess the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the entire appeal period, warranting a 70 percent rating from September 8, 2008 to May 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include mood disorder, depression and dementia associated with multiple sclerosis, right eye optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis, and seizure disorder associated with multiple sclerosis. The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance as a result of these conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder NOS is not rated higher than 30 percent, and the initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted at 20 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding a verified in-service stressor and for further examination of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability and depression has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for a service-connected psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all available medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total impairment to occupational and social functioning as of February 1, 2011. The Board granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD based on the severity of symptoms during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective August 26, 2013. The decision is based on the symptoms and impairment described in the VA examination and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), high cholesterol, hernia, basal cell cancer, purpura of the distal forearms, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), chest pain, and left ankle disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The AOJ must also verify any in-service stressor related to witnessing a fight that included a stabbing while serving in Bahrain in August 1991, and determine whether the Veteran's current symptoms are due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness due to service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.