Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including right ear hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated as 30 percent disabling since December 30, 2008. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with depression and found that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder has been granted. The decision is based on the established link between these conditions and his in-service parachute accident.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder but denied service connection for Bipolar Disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The Veteran's current address must be determined and provided notice of the VA examination at that address.

The VA has determined that the appellant's mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, which was initially rated at 30 percent, warrants no higher rating based on his symptoms of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, with a current diagnosis of mood disorder NOS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during or shortly after her service and have continued since.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD that conforms with the DSM-IV and no other diagnosed chronic disability related to military service.

The Board finds that a depressive disorder had its onset in active service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bipolar disorder is denied as it was not present during active service, within the first post-service year, nor is it due to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression has been rated at 70 percent since November 6, 2008. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment or exceptional circumstances that would render the assigned rating inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not suffer from a psychiatric disorder during his active service and there is no competent evidence relating his current psychiatric disorders to his active service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and vascular dementia have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service occurrence or aggravation. The Board found that the symptoms are more likely related to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 5, 2012. The disability ratings are based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently demonstrated schizophrenia and depressive disorder are due to disease or injury incurred in active service, granting service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired neuropsychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder NOS with features of atypical panic symptoms and PTSD and depressive disorder NOS was granted. The effective date for this grant is December 8, 1994.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and sleep apnea, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.