Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's headache disorder is etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD with depression, adjustment disorder, and anxiety. The Board has granted service connection for the headache disorder as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and depression are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2004 rating decision denying service connection for lupus. The effective date for the grant of service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus, glomerulonephrosis, alopecia, and depression is being remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 29, 2005 for service connection of PTSD with secondary depression. The appeal was successful.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are found to be related to service, while the sciatica of the lower extremities is not considered secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the Veteran's service connection claim, including obtaining his Army Reserve service records and verifying any claimed stressors. The Veteran is also advised to provide specific information about his in-service experiences.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claim of an in-service assault, and thus could not establish service connection for her psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher initial disability rating prior to February 20, 2008. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the period from February 20, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, depressive disorder, and major depressive disorder, is related to his active military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities existed prior to service and if so, whether they were aggravated by service. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for depression and right knee condition was denied. The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent, while his right knee condition is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was not shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of impairment greater than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity; the rating assigned for his condition prior to January 13, 2010 is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's under other than honorable conditions discharge should not prevent him from receiving VA benefits due to his insanity at the time he went AWOL. However, further medical opinion is needed to reconcile a June 2005 private opinion with an in-service mental status evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and the treatment for such, thus granting service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to issues with corroborating his stressors and obtaining his complete service personnel records.