Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and an unspecified anxiety disorder, which the Board finds to be related to service. The right knee disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 22, 2004. The Board also granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development regarding the onset of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination related to his psychiatric disorder and herniated nucleus pulposus, and issue an SOC regarding the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression was denied. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and low back conditions, as well as the TDIU claim were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and adjustment disorder, based on new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma and has granted service connection for a depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing the Veteran's depressive disorder preexisted service, but also found that it was not aggravated by service. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder and reopening of his claim for PTSD and depression have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed before this can be decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requested a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of relevant ongoing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety with depression, arthralgias of all joints, gastritis, GERD, and elevated liver enzymes due to fatty liver are found to be proximately due to the service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for orthopedic and psychiatric examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 18, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 9, 2010, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his overall disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to inadequate review of his STRs and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service periods and obtain his medical records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Dependent Personality Disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.