Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder was incurred in service, as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, that is due to service. The initial diagnosis of a psychiatric disability was not until June 1996, and there is no medically supportable diagnosis of PTSD based on verified service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining supporting evidence of stressors reported by the Veteran and a VA examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to a disease or injury in active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, has been characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, frequent panic attacks, social avoidance, passive suicidal ideation, nightmares, hypervigilance, impaired concentration, insomnia, and feelings of detachment from others. This more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under DC 9400.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with associated depression, has resulted in total social and occupational impairment since April 6, 2007. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for the PTSD beginning on that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition and its relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for contact dermatitis and granted it. The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease, but a new rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected gastrointestinal disability. The rating for the psychophysiological gastrointestinal disturbance with duodenal ulcer has been granted at a 20 percent level.

The Veteran's service-connected Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right and left knees, along with his major depressive disorder, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and employment background. The RO has granted TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cognitive and acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depression. The evidence submitted since the last final denial of the claim raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current headache symptoms are related to his in-service head injury. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA mental status evaluation to determine if any of the diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD with major depression and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, and arthralgias are not fully developed. The case is being remanded to provide further development of evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The current rating of 50 percent for his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, did not have onset during service or were caused by his service-connected herpes. The Board concluded that these conditions are not etiologically related to his active service.