Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are service-connected, with the stressors involving witnessing dead bodies and wounded soldiers during his military service on the USS Princeton.

The Veteran's PTSD with adjustment disorder and depression has been granted service connection, effective November 20, 2009. The evaluation for PTSD is currently at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current symptoms and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder with psychotic features, sleep apnea, migraines, lumbar spine degenerative changes, right knee injuries, and hypertension, render him housebound or in need of aid and attendance. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review of the Veteran's file and an examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, dysthymic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding her alleged sexual assault during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he is unemployable due solely to his service-connected disabilities, and whether a TDIU should be granted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from May 4, 2006. The claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims of a hernia of the uterus are considered withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of the appellant's purported stressors and a VA psychiatric examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety/depression, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The in-service stressors are not corroborated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his lumbosacral spine disability and service connection for PTSD and depression. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board granted service connection for depression and dysthymic disorder, but denied claims for right shoulder disability and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's depressive symptoms are linked to his service-connected PTSD. His right shoulder disability is not shown to be related to active service. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is not currently manifested.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 8, 2005. The Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted for the period prior to September 8, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a back disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that his additional disability resulted from VA treatment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran was found to be totally and permanently disabled due to service-connected conditions, specifically major depressive disorder and adenocarcinoma of the prostate, since at least September 2000. The effective date for the TDIU rating cannot be earlier than August 20, 2008.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has referred the claim to the RO for development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as PTSD, schizophrenia, paranoid type, also claimed as a nervous condition/depression. The Veteran submitted new and material evidence in December 2008 supporting his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service department records and potential service connection claims. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining the necessary records.