Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disability was granted, with an effective date of January 13, 2005. The Veteran also requested a prior effective date to be assigned, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as it would not have been factually ascertainable that the increase in severity occurred within one year preceding January 31, 2005.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The evidence now shows that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder with depression is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of his claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% effective August 13, 2009. The Board granted her TDIU effective that date as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, including as due to a service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 2, 2006. The TDIU was granted as of September 30, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria and his Alzheimer's-type dementia and depressive disorder NOS did not manifest within one year of service. The evidence is insufficient to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's neuralgic pain of the RLQ and right lower extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's tender scar status post appendectomy is currently rated at 10 percent, which meets the current criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA mental health treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD or another psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is denied as there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and his diagnoses are not based on such events.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which is the lowest available under the applicable diagnostic code. The symptoms described do not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety were granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent effective March 25, 2010. An earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA eligibility was also granted as of November 14, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his claim for a substance abuse disorder. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service, and there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric disorders to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD, has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault is corroborated by evidence from other sources, such as behavioral changes following his release from military prison.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and his acquired psychiatric condition is currently evaluated at 50 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.