Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, and nervous disorder, are related to his service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was previously rated at 30 percent prior to January 2, 2013. From that date, the VA assigned a rating of 70 percent effective from January 2, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, characterized as depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to his military service. The headaches are also considered to be directly related to his service.

The Veteran's depression has not been productive of symptoms that more nearly approximate or equate to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; depression-related impairment of short-and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; or depression-related impaired abstract thinking; or difficulty in maintaining effective relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a left knee disability are still pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The issue is now before the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at their regional office. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to September 2, 2011. She also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression and/or cognitive impairment. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent disabling from April 18, 2011 to the present. The claim for TDIU was granted effective April 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder, and finds that it was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected Depressive Disorder required hospital treatment in excess of 21 days for alcohol abuse, which is concurrent with his depressive disorder. The Board granted a temporary total rating based on this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent, as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is related to his period of active service, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his previously diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or any in-service disease, event, or injury. The examiner is also asked to address whether these conditions are due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for further development of the claims.