Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has reduced the Veteran's disability rating for residuals of thyroid cancer from 100 percent to 30 percent, effective June 1, 2008. The reduction is based on improvement in symptoms and ability to work.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, depression, and residuals of a fracture of the left middle finger were evaluated. Migraine headaches received a 10% rating from October 16, 2005 to December 15, 2005; depression was rated at 10%; and residuals of the fracture did not meet criteria for any compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of recent changes in regulations regarding PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. The decision is based on the merits of the claim without invoking any specific presumption or exposure basis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and paranoid schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to address his low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for depression was granted at a 10 percent rating from October 7, 2005 to June 11, 2008. From June 12, 2008 forward, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is not related to service and denied the claim. The case was remanded for further development.

Prior to February 1, 2003, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was rated at 30 percent due to symptoms such as depressed mood and mild insomnia.,From February 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003, the rating increased to 50 percent due to moderate symptoms including flattened affect and difficulty in social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder and the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if hypertension is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted in May 2011, which may constitute a complete grant of his depression claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, and social isolation, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from July 30, 2007 to October 5, 2009. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA medical centers.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not related to his service-connected GERD and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The VA monthly pension amount for the surviving spouse with no dependents and the need for aid and attendance was correctly calculated from February 1, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's dysthymia and major depression were first shown several years after his active duty service, and did not find a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for drug addiction and psychiatric disabilities are pending.