Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU on October 18, 2004 and his effective date is set to that day.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for major depressive disorder and DDD of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder or in excess of 10/20 percent for DDD prior to April 13, 2009 and since April 13, 2009 respectively.

The Board found no current psychiatric disorder etiologically related to service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent since the claim was filed, and a further increase to 100 percent has been granted effective May 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression requires further development due to insufficient information regarding his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions and the presence of a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, joint pain, chronic diarrhea, headaches, pseudotumor cerebri, and low back disorder, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability evaluation from 70% to 30% for rheumatic heart disease with cardiac neurosis and depression is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder and his period of active service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for burn scars of the neck and left arm and axilla, finding that they were aggravated in service. Service connection is also granted for a chronic neck disorder (cervical dystonia torticollis and degenerative arthritis) as it was caused by the aggravation of pre-existing scar tissue during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of respiratory cancer as secondary to herbicide exposure are also pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a disability of the right lower extremity. However, no new or material evidence was found to support reopening the claim for a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for establishing service connection in any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depression are service-connected, with a rating of 30% effective as of the date of decision.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and conduct examinations to determine the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, but not a decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his in-service stressor claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with associated depression secondary to prostate cancer resulted in social and occupational impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The current rating of 30 percent is appropriate prior to May 27, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 16, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his PTSD.