Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 29, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms warrant this rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his service, warranting service connection. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his last months of service were characterized by depression and that this condition contributed to his suicide.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression disorder prior to June 5, 2009 was manifested by symptoms such as social isolation, irritability, anger, occasional depression, hypervigilance, insomnia, nightmares and intrusive thoughts. The VA examiner found that there were no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms like depressed mood, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment.

The Veteran's anxiety neurosis, which is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, has been granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective September 22, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, fatigue, memory loss, heart disorder, and skin disorder have been granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury with sciatica, as well as the issue regarding psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was first manifested in service and is considered to have resulted from the stressors of military service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, with pain disorder has been manifested by total occupational and nearly total social impairment since the effective date of service connection. The Board finds that a disability rating of 100 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of such a disability during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify or assist is necessary.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective relationships. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim will be remanded for further development including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected depression, not otherwise specified (NOS), is rated at 50 percent and the claim for an increased evaluation is granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is manifested by symptoms approximating occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition has been granted.