Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 9, 2009 and not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent from that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety and depression were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is now rated at 50 percent, effective from December 5, 2003. His GERD remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The case will also be reviewed by the RO to determine if her initial ratings for depressive disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder should be adjusted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, were not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was attributed to chronic depression, which the appellant claims was service-connected. However, there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since April 1, 2010. The rating reflects moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning due to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, impaired impulse control, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the neck, arthritis of the arms with numbness of both hands, degenerative arthritis of the back, and fibromyalgia of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia, depression, and interpersonal conflict disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD due to a personal assault during service, and also found that the Veteran's other psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is currently manifested by some occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied as the earliest possible effective date is February 13, 2009, when her claim on secondary basis to a service-connected migraine headache was granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since December 21, 2010. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as a major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation records and Social Security Administration records. He also needs an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, avoidance, isolation, panic attacks, auditory hallucinations, irritability, and paranoia. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations.