Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been productive of occupational and social impairment that approximates disability manifested by deficiencies in the areas of work, family relations, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 10 percent since October 2, 2007. The left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent from February 1, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability was not related to service or any service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and medical opinions. The case will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and a personality disorder, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his migraine headaches, service connection for residuals of a stroke, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service or service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, rated at 100% since November 1, 2011, is granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU rating effective from the same date.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as further development is needed. The psychiatric disorder claim also remains pending due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's income and net worth for the relevant appeal period from April 2009. The Veteran is required to submit Improved Pension Eligibility Verification Reports and supporting documentation.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain vocational rehabilitation records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for depression, subdural hematoma with headaches and dizziness, calluses on the feet, lumbar spine disability, seizures, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and prostate complications. However, these claims are being remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The current 50 percent disability rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected major depressive disorder and left hip/thigh disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Reserves service treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found no evidence of a psychosis during service or within one year following discharge, and there is no probative medical opinion linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for depression and bipolar disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and other psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, including a potential sexual assault.

The Board found no current psychiatric disability related to the Veteran's in-service diagnosis of 'schizoid personality,' his in-service mental health treatment, or service generally. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.