Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service personnel records and other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of whether depression is secondary to service-connected PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undifferentiated somatoform disorder and major depressive disorder has been granted. His GERD rating remains unchanged, and his TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for major depression, effective from September 16, 2009, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, anxiety, social isolation, anger, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, difficulty concentrating, panic attacks more than once a week, memory loss, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a supplemental medical opinion. The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, chemical dependency, and treatment purposes only under Chapter 17 of the U.S.C.

The Veteran's diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), had their onset in service and were superimposed on his personality disorder, creating additional psychiatric disability. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no nexus between any of the Appellant's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders and his ACDUTRA service, thus denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of schizophrenia and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for reactive major depression was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and psychosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left upper extremity disorders (claimed as bilateral arm pain and numbness) secondary to the service-connected cervical strain. The Veteran's tension headaches with migraine features are also rated higher than 10 percent. However, further development is needed due to incomplete information regarding her psychiatric conditions and fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any other psychiatric disability, including depression, had its onset in service or is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a total schedular rating prior to his becoming unemployable.

The Veteran's major depression with GAD has been found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since November 25, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, and cognitive impairment, is rated at 70 percent since the date of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment/mood disorder with major depressive features is productive of symptoms consistent with the effects of those such as anxiety and mild memory loss, but does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and chronic low back pain are rated at their maximum schedular ratings, with a 100% rating for MDD.