Depression decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and dysthymia, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any diagnosis or treatment for these conditions during or immediately following his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for hypothyroid disease and service connection for a skin disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 14, 2012, or in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a schizoaffective disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right eye corneal scar were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not etiologically related to service or service-connected migraine headaches, and diagnoses of PTSD are not based upon verified stressors in service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a low back disorder, combine to provide him with at least a 60 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depression with psychosis, claimed as a mental condition, is service-connected and rated at the maximum disability level.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted, but the appeal is not about service connection at all. The Veteran now has a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed schizophrenia is as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for schizophrenia.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's Major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since January 2006, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial rating for service-connected major depressive disorder and his claim for TDIU. The RO has denied both claims, but the Veteran is requesting a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claims file will be provided to a VA psychiatrist or psychologist for review.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include consideration of whether service-connection is warranted for any acquired psychiatric disability. The case is REMANDED so that a VA examination can be scheduled and a comprehensive medical opinion obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective April 24, 2006. The criteria for TDIU were met as of that date due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The diagnosis of PTSD is also questionable due to inconsistencies in medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on an in-service personal assault, and also grants service connection for major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder.,Service connection is denied for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD.