Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to a compensable rating for his right index finger disability, left little finger disability, and depression as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, in remission, was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from August 24, 2004 to October 26, 2005. From January 1, 2006 to September 23, 2007, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. As of November 1, 2007, the disability was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were granted a 50 percent rating effective June 3, 2008. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need to develop and adjudicate his claim to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia. The primary appeal is related to depression, which may be secondary to schizophrenia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Schizoaffective disorder, and Bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported in-service personal assault and stressors, as well as to obtain a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric conditions. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD with depressive disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his hypertension secondary to hidradenitis suppurativa is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression, is service connected as secondary to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, nor may one be presumed to have been. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder manifested during and since his period of active service, with military service contributing to its intensification or exacerbation. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection on a secondary basis as it is not shown to be related to his service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder and major depressive disorder are not related to his military service, thus denying these claims. However, the claim for service connection of a major depressive disorder is granted as it was found to be reasonably related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including mood/anxiety disorder to include depression, pleurisy, and tonsillitis, do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that it is related to an in-service stressor involving physical abuse and self-defense during confinement.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's account of in-service stressors is credible, and his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also granted service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.