Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective February 27, 2009.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent effective from April 15, 2004. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for Lyme disease and a psychiatric disorder, including depression. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that he contracted these conditions during active duty in Europe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to his alleged stressor event in service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of chronic sinusitis, headaches, and depression are not considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims were granted for various conditions, including a scar on the left breast, residuals of liposuction surgery, spondylosis of the thoracic spine, right ankle strain, migraine headaches, lumbar sprain, and major depressive disorder. The effective dates are not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to service. The examiner will also need to verify any in-service stressors that support the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service stressors and current psychiatric status.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an untranscribable audio recording from a previous hearing and the Veteran's request for another hearing at his local office.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that it is at least as likely as not proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, major depressive disorder, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and varicose veins. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding the development of these conditions during active duty or National Guard training were not credible.

The Board has determined that an acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated during active military service, and thus service connection is granted for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's depression/mood disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected diabetes and other disabilities, thus denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there were no additional symptoms or aggravation of existing conditions warranting an increase in disability ratings. TDIU was denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for SSA records, personnel records, and an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, is rated at 50 percent. The reduction in the rating for prostate cancer residuals was upheld.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to incomplete review of VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, and therefore the benefit sought on appeal has been granted in full.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's depression is related to his military service. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.