Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to an in-service stressor, which is considered credible based on corroborating evidence.

The Veteran's recurrent major depression, schizoaffective disorder, and paranoid schizophrenia resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether any psychiatric disorder identified during the pendency of the claim is related to active service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation and proper accounting for certain regulations, and a need for additional development including medical examinations.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression has been granted, but the current rating of 50% is not sufficient to reflect his symptoms. The VA examiner found that his condition results in marked impairment on interpersonal relationships and vocational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, dysthymia, and schizoaffective disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to stressor verification, pre-existing conditions, and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and industrial background.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claims for higher ratings or service connection are denied. His acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected as PTSD did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence to support a secondary relationship with his sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his PTSD and right knee strain.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been productive of depressed mood, suicidal ideation, chronic sleep impairment (insomnia), poor energy, and impaired concentration throughout the appeal period. However, the preponderance of the evidence shows that his PTSD has not been productive of total social and industrial impairment at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder have been rated at 50% since the initial rating decision, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and verifying inservice stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional development related to the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 15, 2009. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic conditions related to service.