Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due to and aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the manifestations of his PTSD more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety and depression did not have its onset in service, but her multiple cysts of the arms and legs were incurred during service. The gynecologic disorder (claimed as miscarriages resulting in hysterectomy) was not shown to be related to service. Bilateral shin splints and bilateral stress fractures and a disability of the right Achilles tendon were also not found to have their onset in service.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected knee and back disabilities. The Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for depression is granted, while his claims for service connection for schizophrenia are denied. The decision also addresses the Veteran's ratings and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his active service, granting him service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is about the validity of a compensation debt arising from his fugitive felon status period, and he contests its creation. The case must be remanded for further development to address this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine and tension-type headaches, major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran is found to be unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with secondary major depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met since March 17, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric evaluation to determine if any of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault stressors, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety and depression has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case to address new theories of service connection and potential aggravation claims, including a VA examination for hepatitis B.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing appropriate VCAA notice regarding personal assault claims. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims remain closed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a panic disorder with agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder, and depression as secondary to asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left toe arthritis was denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a more severe disability. His pension claim was also denied due to the presence of other nonservice-connected disabilities that prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date for Chapter 30 education benefits is being remanded due to a lack of medical records from Dr. Decker during his relevant treatment period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for depression, secondary to service-connected residuals of lumbosacral strain as there is no disputed question of law or fact. The RO's May 2010 rating decision granted service connection at a 30 percent initial evaluation for depression, secondary to service-connected residuals of lumbosacral strain.