Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and additional records from 'Lutheran Services'. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claim due to insufficient detail in the VA mental health examination report, and further development is needed before deciding on the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression and depressive disorder, is granted. Service connection for genitofemoral neuralgia and small corneal scar are denied. The Veteran's mid back strain remains at a maximum of 20 percent prior to December 15, 2010 and 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the severity of his depressive disorder and left knee disability. The TDIU issue will be adjudicated last.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 3, 2004, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 16, 2004 manifested by reduced reliability and productivity due to anxiety, angering easily, having poor sleep and having a strained relationship with his wife. For the period from October 16, 2004 to January 10, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms manifested by deficiencies in most areas due to an inability to work, anger outbursts, anxiety, sleep issues, irritability, isolation, nightmares, generalized anxiety, lethargy, and anger problems affecting his marriage.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran with a VA examination to address his left knee disability and psychiatric disorder claims.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and tonsillitis (residuals) as the Veteran's conditions were not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is service-connected as it was caused by his experiences during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression is denied as there is no evidence that his current conditions began during or were caused by his military service from January 2003 to December 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 27, 2006 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD was granted and assigned a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was granted, and the Board also found that she is unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was granted service connection, but the initial assigned rating of 30 percent is maintained. The Board found that his symptoms most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, which was of service onset or is related to any events that occurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but new evidence has reopened his claim. Service connection for depression is not established as service connected.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression have been rated at 70 percent since April 28, 2010. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's anxiety and depression throughout the appeal period. As a result of this decision, there is no longer any question regarding a TDIU rating as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in that matter.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 24, 2012. The rating is granted as the disability results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that the symptoms are more likely due to personality characteristics rather than events during service.