Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for depressive disorder was granted, but with a current disability rating of 50% prior to August 20, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder with missed anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Board granted separate initial evaluations of 10% each for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and anterior compartment fascial release, effective from the date of separation from service (January 2007). The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depression was granted. His increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were also granted, effective May 22, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, were aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety disorder are at least as likely as not attributable to his service-connected tinnitus and insomnia. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, and assigned a higher evaluation for PTSD. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at May 22, 1992. TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD) and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine whether he has additional disability as a result of VA treatment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, was first diagnosed during active service and has persisted since. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and memory loss should be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's major depression is found to be related to service, specifically the stressors of harassment and assault during basic training. The claim for PTSD is denied as there are no current symptoms or evidence supporting a diagnosis.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be aggravated by her service-connected diabetes mellitus, and a rating of 30 percent has been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric, sleep, back, neck, and skin disorders. The evidence did not show any such conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent effective May 14, 2013, based on symptoms of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to a failure to timely file a Substantive Appeal regarding her service connection claims for Sjogren's syndrome, clinical depression, and residuals of exposure to asbestos. The May 2003 rating decision denying these claims is not on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for development consistent with a Joint Motion for Remand. The Veteran was previously assigned a disability rating of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, effective September 20, 2006.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for a bilateral disorder of the lower extremities and depression. The Veteran's claims will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.