Depression decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA treatment records, SSA records, and a new opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified personality disorder and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since June 10, 2016. Prior to that date, he was granted a TDIU based on his disability but not an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care, finding that he did not meet the criteria for anatomical loss or use of extremities as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the inextricability of issues with SMC eligibility. The Board will consider entitlement on an extra-schedular basis under special provisions and may also address SMC if applicable.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability of right upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, but the condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his current METs level of 3-5 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7005 or 7017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for depression was withdrawn. The claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease with sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker placement and scar, prior to April 11, 2011, is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent. The claim for an increased evaluation since April 11, 2011 (excluding the period from May 11, 2015 to August 1, 2015) is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of alternative sources of evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected depression and/or medication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and sleep disturbance is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches, right knee scar, MDD, chronic cervical strain, DJD of the right knee post-repaired ACL and meniscal injury, chronic right ankle strain, and right foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis and callus of the great toe have been granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10% evaluation for his right knee scar.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and procurement of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to new medical evidence submitted after a previous supplemental statement of the case.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is service connected based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder are granted. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda related to his service. Other claims have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds a 70 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including hearing loss, gout, stomach disorder, and psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that further examination is necessary to address the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran claims service connection for gout (of the left knee and feet) and a stomach disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to his military service.