Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's headaches are also found to be related to her service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective February 9, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence shows very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is attributable to service, but he does not have PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a hearing, and the case is now pending before the Board for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent prior to September 21, 2010, and a 70 percent rating from September 21, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post bypass surgery associated with hypertension was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from February 18, 2004, to July 7, 2010, and a subsequent increased rating to 60 percent effective July 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychological disability, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma, has been remanded for further development and an additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran claims service connection for depression and other psychiatric disorders as secondary to his service-connected dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the current state of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his service-connected psychotic disorder was withdrawn by him, and the RO confirmed this withdrawal in a rating decision issued on May 8, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is pending for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, on a direct basis. The secondary claim remains under development and will be considered if the VA medical opinion indicates such a relationship.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and VCAA notice issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are not related to his period of military service from March 1977 to March 1980.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/privately medical records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected right upper and lower extremity chronic muscle pain, residuals of an electrical shock injury. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on whether PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disability to her service, specifically not to a death in 1985 while she was on active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's disorder is not related to any event during her military service.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current bipolar mood disorder and depression are related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, agoraphobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder have been rated at a 50 percent disability level since November 1, 2010. The rating is effective from that date.