Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not severe enough for a higher rating prior to December 29, 2010. After that date, the impairment did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is unclear regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. Further development is needed to substantiate the claimed stressors and determine if a diagnosis of PTSD can be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of credible evidence corroborating his claimed in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder remains pending and will be remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an adjustment disorder, and depression, as well as status post peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder and major depression, is found to be service-connected. The condition was first noted in service and continues today.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the diagnoses of all psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated under the new regulations regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected mood disorder with anxiety and depression, low back sprain, right elbow strain, left elbow strain, and neck ligament sprain are being remanded to the RO for further development including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his stressor is related to this engagement, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and depression, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the schizophrenia claim and concluding that depression was not incurred in or caused by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depression is denied as there was no informal claim filed between the July 2007 denial and December 4, 2008. The effective date assigned in March 2009 is based on the date of receipt of the reopened claim.

The Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent initial rating for service-connected depression with PTSD for the entire rating period, effective from the date of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a right elbow disability, and gastrointestinal disability have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms of dysphoria, fatigue, lack of motivation, mild difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbance, nightmares, loss of appetite and discomfort when reminded of in-service trauma. These symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal). The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or event to which these conditions can be linked.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was manifested by chronic sleep impairment and mild memory loss, as well as some anxiousness and depression. Her disability did not result in reduced reliability and productivity at work or other significant functional impairments.,Prior to May 3, 2001, the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD and denied both PTSD and depression claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, COPD, insomnia, allergies, substance dependence, and depression were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to clarify whether the Veteran's depression is causally related to service, and to verify the claimed PTSD stressors.