Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depressive disorder is granted as his symptoms are related to personal assaults during active duty.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the Board finds that his claimed psychiatric disorder is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete opinions from a previous VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD and his depressive disorder is not service-connected.,Right leg symptoms are not related to active service, as there was no chronic right lower extremity radiculopathy during or after service.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further appellate review consistent with a June 2014 Memorandum Decision from the United States Court of Appeals For Veterans Claims (Court).

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder with psychosis and schizophrenia, effective October 10, 2006. The claim for right knee disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health records from the Dallas Naval Air Station Hospital in 1992, SSA records, and specific dates of the appellant's Naval Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety secondary to arrested pulmonary tuberculosis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to verify his in-service stressor. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's asthma was aggravated during service, and her left knee disability is due to military service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right shoulder disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated at 50 percent since July 2008, and the RO denied an increased rating. The residuals of right hip stress fracture have also not met criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and depression have been rated at 50 percent since April 5, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Veteran's depression was rated at 30% from November 29, 2005 to June 28, 2011 and has been rated as 70% since then. The cervical spine disability was rated at 10% from November 29, 2006 to November 19, 2007 and is now rated as 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, and his claim for a psychiatric disorder was granted based on new evidence. The effective date of these decisions will be determined by VA.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service, and there is no evidence of a right knee or sinusitis disability. The claims for depression were also denied.