Depression decisions — 2011

The VA determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, preexisted service and were aggravated by events prior to service. The Board found her account of a rape during service not credible.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 50 percent, effective December 20, 2005. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding in-service and post-service treatment records, as well as his incarcerated status preventing examination. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain additional evidence and schedule examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted increased ratings, but his hearing loss and tinnitus were reduced to noncompensable levels. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are not addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with depression, and tinnitus) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary psychiatric disability due to hepatitis C remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment resulting in reduced reliability and productivity, but without suicidal or homicidal ideation, impaired communication, inappropriate hygiene, illogical speech, spatial disorientation, or an inability to maintain relationships. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression was initially denied in 2001 and 2003, but she appealed. The RO granted her claim with an effective date of February 20, 2008.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is currently rated at 50 percent under the general rating formula for mental disorders. The VA has determined that his symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring that the VA has considered her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine condition and psychiatric disorders, preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is causally linked to in-service stressors he reported.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum evaluation authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a seizure disorder, higher initial ratings for degenerative joint disease with osteoarthritis, L3-L5, and osteoarthritis, C4-C6 have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and depression in post-service records but his current claims are not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 21, 2002 and April 19, 2006 for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder and major depression, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal was also reopened on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorder, as a result of his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with depression. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and readjudicate the issue.