Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective November 9, 2012. The radiculopathy of the lower extremities and dysthymia/major depressive disorder remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, organic heart disease, right leg disability, residuals of head injury (headaches), and left heel contusion were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assaults and her current PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran will be provided with notice about corroborating evidence, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if her PTSD is related to her claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his military personnel records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized by mild memory loss and depression, has been rated at 30 percent since November 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric conditions are not service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, was not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The VA examiner opined against all aspects of the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his service and depression is as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, and depression are all found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, classified as major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted. Additionally, the Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disability and thus entitled to TDIU. The effective date for the 70 percent rating remains August 11, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD and other mental health conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection, but the initial rating for PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher than 50 percent evaluation. The Veteran's hepatitis condition remains at zero percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has restored the Veteran's Section 1151 compensation for hepatitis C with rheumatological autoimmune disease, as well as his related grants of special monthly compensation and Dependents' Educational Assistance. The depression disorder was also restored due to its secondary nature to the hepatitis C disability.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with adjustment disorder and depression is rated at 70 percent from November 20, 2009 to June 3, 2011. The VA has granted service connection for PTSD based on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her unable to work.