Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The bilateral knee disability was also not found to be related to service.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not that his condition began during service. The Veteran was already service-connected for migraines.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during active military service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to her in-service personal assault. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent since February 5, 2010, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and providing him with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder disability.

The Veteran was awarded TDIU and DEA eligibility effective from July 1, 2005. She asserts that an earlier effective date is warranted.,She has been unable to work since December 8, 2004 due to her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypoactive sexual desire disorder has been granted at a 30 percent level from March 22, 2001 until December 12, 2010. The claim is now pending for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current mental health disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, was incurred in or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's credibility concerns and additional evidence submitted are to be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if her current psychiatric disability (claimed as depression) is related to service-connected residuals of hysterectomy and fallopian tube surgery. Additionally, the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for residuals of hysterectomy will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires him to be in need of aid and attendance, which is granted as part of his SMC claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as there are no remaining issues to review.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to July 5, 2012 was rated at 30 percent.,Since July 5, 2012, the Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be proximately due to his service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression was not incurred in active service, and it is not a result of an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The Board also determined that there is no evidence to show that her depression is causally related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 13, 2009. The rating is based on the predominant symptoms of sleep impairment, a depressed mood, dysphoria, anxiety, frustration, isolative behavior, fatigue, disturbances of motivation or mood, and anhedonia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the appellant's failure to report for VA examinations and his current health status.