Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with dysthymia, chronic depression, and personality disorder was denied as the increase in symptomatology did not occur prior to November 5, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new psychiatric examination and consideration of additional evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% prior to August 25, 2009. Since then, the condition has not met criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted on the merits. The claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for paranoid schizophrenia (which included a theory of direct service connection) was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for depression associated with service-connected disabilities, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current depression is secondary to his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder with anxiety, is due to his service-connected right knee and left foot disorders. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than dementia/Alzheimer's disease, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, on the basis of a stressor related to his service aboard the USS Oriskany in October 1966. The claim is based on accrued benefits as the Veteran died after the initial decision but before the appeal was decided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and information about the Veteran's earnings from mowing lawns. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to assess his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to March 20, 2007 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The appeal is for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and possible SSA disability benefits records. The case will be reviewed after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and extent of her service-connected psychiatric disability. A lumbar spine examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The total disability evaluation claim must also be addressed in light of the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their severity.