Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 24, 2008. The VA examiner found the Veteran to have reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, anxiety, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impairment of short- and long-term memory.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity that would warrant an increased rating beyond 50 percent.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's psychiatric and neurological conditions, as well as determine if service connection should be granted for these conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to consider her current psychiatric disabilities, including somatoform disorder, dysthymic disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder. The case will be re-adjudicated as a claim for any acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by severe depression, moderate to severe anxiety, anger, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, mood swings, feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, affective instability, impaired short-term memory and attention, social isolation, lack of interest and motivation, suicidal gestures, and self-harming behaviors. She was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are attributable to service, with the Board finding that they meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying in-service stressors, and providing a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional development of service connection claims for throat cancer, psychiatric disorder, and a growth on the left leg. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for adverse outcomes related to a colonoscopy and service connection for depression and anxiety as secondary to those outcomes. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety (claimed as PTSD) is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, reflecting occupational and social impairment due to occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 50 percent, effective March 8, 2004. The TDIU claim was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are service-connected, with the depression being at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depression had its onset in service and is related to his military service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for his service-connected adjustment/mood disorder with major depressive features is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and granted service connection for major depression. The TDIU claim is also addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection for both PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between current symptoms and those stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities and whether they are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 14, 2008 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and for a higher initial disability evaluation. The Veteran's claim was not considered as a claim for major depressive disorder.