Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 23, 2011 for the grant of service connection for psuedofolliculitis barbae was granted. The claim to reopen his PTSD and depression claims was also granted. However, he is still denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that his disability picture more nearly approximates a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depression, and mood disorder has been granted with a full grant of benefits effective from November 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate alleged stressors and determine if a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depression and erectile dysfunction/deformity related to removal, replacement, and subsequent removal of a penile prosthesis performed at VA are denied as there is no additional disability found.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was rated at 50 percent disabling for the period prior to July 12, 2013, and as 70 percent disabling thereafter.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression. The Board also addressed other claims but deferred a decision pending further case development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying the in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression and major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, sinus infections, and a cervical spine disability. The appeals are now remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia repair is granted.,The claim for service connection for depression, to include as due to in-service exposure to mustard gas and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder with depression was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a temporary total rating for convalescence extended to November 1, 2008. The TDIU claim is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a new hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of sleep apnea remains under consideration as it may be secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's migraine headaches or acquired psychiatric disorder were incurred in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder. The appeal is currently pending.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent disability rating from August 2006 to February 3, 2013.