Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, major depression, PTSD, hypertension with CAD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder as well as right carpal tunnel syndrome. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service and/or his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.,Service connection has been granted for a bowel disorder (chronic constipation), but it does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD will be addressed after resolving any other issues, including service connection for depression.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has PTSD related to his service and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical history provided and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination. The RO should also adjudicate the inferred claims for service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features and panic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying the Veteran's reported stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed left knee disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions. The case also requires verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The January 1973 rating decision denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected schizophrenia and did not address his TDIU claim. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder, are service-connected. The sleep disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service or any incident therein, including fear of hostile military activity. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected major depressive disorder was denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of the benefit sought.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be related to service. The issue of residuals of a cranial injury and acquired psychiatric disability will require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse and depression was initially rated at 50 percent from March 30, 2006 to December 10, 2007. Effective December 11, 2007, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, which included PTSD with alcohol abuse and depression. The effective date of TDIU was granted as of December 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 1, 2005, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression was denied as there is no pending, unadjudicated claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with depression dating back to September 1983.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and headaches are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide secondary service connection notice, and schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence shows that she has occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to parasuicidal tendencies, depression, impaired impulse control such as unprovoked irritability with periods of domestic violence; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances including work or a worklike setting; and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds this warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression with anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent since March 26, 2008.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.