Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also advised that multiple distinct degrees of disability may result in different levels of compensation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional information from SSA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to provide proper notice for a scheduled hearing and because his new representative has not had an opportunity to review the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and records, as well as for further development of the hearing loss claim. The psychiatric disorder claim will be evaluated based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions. The appeal also includes a claim for a temporary total evaluation based on hospitalization for her psychiatric disabilities. Further development of the record is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with a bulging disc is productive of orthopedic impairment and neurological symptoms, including erectile dysfunction, bowel incontinence, bladder incontinence, and right shoulder AC joint separation. The claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, and/or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board finds that he is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated at 50 percent since February 2007, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to December 18, 2010, warranting a 50% disability rating. After the December 18, 2010 VA examination, his symptoms worsened, leading to a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for an opinion on whether his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service, specifically the alleged military sexual trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is related to her military service. The in-service stressor could not be verified and there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury.

Your claim of service connection for PTSD and depression has been granted, with a 70% disability rating effective January 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 30, 2004 was granted. The Board found that her earlier April 1995 claim for non-service-connected pension benefits should be considered as a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. His cognitive disorder is not related to any aspect of his active duty service or to any service-connected physical disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and major depressive disorder.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and an involuntary movement disorder. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health conditions related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an effective date of December 27, 1988 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depression has been withdrawn by his attorney.