Depression decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of osteoarthritis, depression, headaches, blurred vision or dermatitis that is related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and clarify an opinion regarding the Veteran's low back and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically an examination to determine if her current psychiatric disorders are related to military sexual trauma in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his PTSD does not render him unemployable due to his symptoms, and he has other non-service connected conditions that affect his employability.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to her service. Additionally, she will be asked to provide evidence that corroborates her claim of receiving letters from J.H. during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to address his psychiatric, joint, and skin conditions.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder and a healed fracture of the right great toe. The Board has determined that these conditions preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain pertinent medical records and to request Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits information. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, and delusional disorder, is at least 50 percent likely to have had its onset during service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a social and industrial survey. The goal is to determine whether his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent prior to March 20, 2009 and a 70 percent rating thereafter. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with residuals, but the stomach disorder claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is service-connected based on evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several of her claims. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of left femur fracture was also denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized by depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, does not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective November 7, 2006. The Board has granted the Veteran a rating in excess of 30 percent for his neurodermatitis with pseudofolliculitis barbae. Additionally, new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (secondary to anxiety disorder), sleep apnea, peripheral vestibular disorder, gastritis, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated major depressive disorder have been rated at 50% since April 14, 2011, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to new evidence submitted. The claims are granted.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his increased rating of 30 percent for pain disorder with depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records from before November 1998 and to readjudicate the claim.