Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and other associated psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) are attributable to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being developed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by chronic sleep disturbance, hypervigilance and irritability which most nearly approximate occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for an initial disability rating of 30 percent, but not higher, for PTSD have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is aggravated by her service-connected right ankle disability, and therefore grants secondary service connection for depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and mood disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are service-connected, having been attributed to an in-service physical assault with behavior changes resulting from the incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, should be remanded to obtain a VA examination and address whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not etiologically related to service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease and acquired psychiatric condition (bipolar disorder and depression) are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also granted, but the claim will be remanded to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the diabetes was caused or worsened by the service-connected Crohn's disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for an in-person hearing, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being reopened.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted service connection and an earlier effective date of July 7, 2003 for left ankle fracture status post surgical fusion is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are as likely as not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including a physical assault during service.

The Board has restored the previously assigned ratings of 70 percent for depressive disorder and TDIU, finding that there was no sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition to warrant a reduction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, major depressive disorder, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current depressive disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration.