Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, effective from October 21, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting private treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is related to her in-service military sexual trauma. The Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is granted.

The Board vacated its previous decision due to the presence of a temporary claims file containing evidence that was not considered at the time, including service connection for depression and an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent disability rating from February 21, 2007, to July 20, 2010. Since July 21, 2010, the condition did not meet criteria for an evaluation greater than 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, as well as a neck and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated at 30 percent since August 6, 2010. The rating is based on his current symptomatology and occupational/social impairment.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation for PTSD from 50 percent to 30 percent, effective February 1, 2008, was proper based on improvement in the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and generalized anxiety disorder. These conditions are found to be related to military sexual trauma experienced during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the appeal is dismissed as there are no pending issues to be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnoses of depressive disorder (NOS) and anxiety disorder (NOS) are incurred as a result of her sexual assault during active duty for training in May 1980, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressor events in service and examination by a psychiatrist and orthopedist.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD and a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and consideration of her claims, including service connection for depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development and consideration being required, including a VA examination for psychiatric and respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 30, 2006, for the grant of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to June 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was denied, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an allergic reaction to medication was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and reopened the claim of service connection for depression. The Veteran's current headache disability is found to be related to his in-service trauma, while his depression is linked to his ongoing treatment.