Depression Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a temporomandibular articulation joint disorder and a psychiatric disorder, to include major depression. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran's disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, effective November 18, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and alcoholism as secondary to a service-connected condition. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized inpatient medical expenses at Advocate Bromenn Medical Center during the period May 4, 2012, to May 15, 2012, are authorized as they were related to a service-connected disability (Major Depressive Disorder).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected MDD warrants a 70 percent rating, effective January 9, 2009. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has found the issue of entitlement to a TDIU had been reasonably raised by the record and should be adjudicated as part of the claim on appeal. The Veteran's depressive disorder caused marked impairment in her ability to respond appropriately to coworkers, supervisors, or the general public, and marked impairment in her ability to respond to changes in the work setting. However, the schedular criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have not been met in this case. Therefore, the case is REMANDED for further development including completing VA Form 21-8940 and referring the claim to the Chief Benefits Director or the Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, and major depressive disorder with a history of PTSD are rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings or effective dates based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling for each extremity. The appeal regarding the increased evaluations for generalized anxiety disorder, left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome has been resolved.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The evidence received since the last denial supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety and depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's military service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA home loan benefits because he was discharged from active duty service due to reasons other than a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a new VA opinion on whether the Veteran's substance abuse disorder is proximately due to or caused by her service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to May 3, 2007. The Board granted this rating and denied a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's symptoms of depression, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbance of motivation and mood, suicidal ideation, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances are symptoms of his already service-connected nightmare disorder (also claimed as PTSD). There is no separate disability for residuals associated with a TBI.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed depressive disorder is related to his service-connected tinnitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.