Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse have been rated at 70 percent since October 16, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder based on the Veteran's reported in-service combat experiences.

The Veteran's HIV with anxiety and major depressive disorder has been rated at the highest available level of disability, a 70 percent evaluation, effective from November 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the exception of her claim for a left hip disability. The headaches, stress fractures or shin splints with probable neuropathy, back lipomas, and psychiatric disabilities (depression and PTSD) are all found to be related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran was awarded TDIU due to his major depressive disorder, effective January 11, 2007.

The Board denied increased ratings for major depressive disorder and dysthymia, chronic low back pain secondary to lumbosacral strain, and left knee patellar tendonitis and patellofemoral stress syndrome. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is pending.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations.,There is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability during service or within one year thereafter, and there is significant evidence against such a finding.

Prior to December 18, 2003, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and MDD) was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that a major depressive disorder had its onset in service and is granted as service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the claims were decided on the basis of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and a right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's service connection claims for major depressive disorder, sleep disorder, left ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, as well as back disorder are still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to establish a service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is REMANDED due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression, is currently rated at 70 percent since April 11, 2011. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the Veteran's records and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including PTSD and Meniere's disease, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for TDIU is also denied.