Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 20, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2008, due to symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his Vocational Rehabilitation file and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to his military service and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify in-service stressors and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis disability is found to be the cause of his current bladder, prostate, pancreas, skin and stomach disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed brain disorder, including depression, paranoid delusional disorder, chemical intoxication, and cognitive impairment. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to service or any incident therein, particularly exposure to chemicals as a mechanic.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to his active military service. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claim for service connection for depression and dysthymia before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her service-connected left ankle disability, and her headaches are related to active service. However, there is no evidence of a direct relationship between any other claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria to establish service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressor in Canada during service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive and anxiety disorders are currently rated at 50 percent from March 30, 2006 through May 25, 2011. A 100 percent rating is assigned starting on May 26, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, asthma, autoimmune disorder, and arthritis. The decision concluded that his current mental health issues are due to his own willful misconduct.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The examiner should address whether the preexisting condition was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service, or if it had onset during or as a result of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressors are not supported by credible evidence and therefore, his PTSD is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current psychiatric disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of October 30, 1995.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and depression, is granted.,There is no evidence of obesity being incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to July 13, 2007. As such, an effective date earlier than July 13, 2007 for the award of a TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and military police records. If a verified stressor of assault in service is found, the Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if PTSD is causally related to his military service.