Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a supplemental opinion from the VA general medical examiner regarding his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety was rated at 50 percent prior to September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's myalgia and myositis are found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of no more than 50 percent for migraines, effective December 5, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected depression has been granted an increased disability evaluation to 70 percent effective June 17, 2008.

The Veteran's schizophrenia with secondary major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder has caused total occupational and social impairment since April 7, 2008. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic venous insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities and associated depression with anxiety, render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, while his nonservice-connected major depressive disorder did not.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's STRs and his reported treatment history.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including determining the appropriate diagnostic codes for his fibromyalgia manifestations and considering if combining separate ratings would provide a higher evaluation than the current 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been linked to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The right ankle and right knee disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as potential SSA records that may be relevant. The VA will obtain these records and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the low back disorder.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (flat warts), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim of residuals of left ankle fracture. The other claims were also denied due to lack of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric diagnoses are related to his period of active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development, including additional psychological testing and drug testing. The focus is on whether the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder that may be service-connected.

The Board is unable to determine if the Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS and major depressive disorder are related to his military service, but finds that they were incurred as a result of his active duty. The case will be remanded for further clarification from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a personality disorder and depression, is granted as her current diagnoses are found to be related to her military service.