Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by symptoms such as depression, impaired concentration and focus, lack of motivation, and social isolation, which most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD through May 12, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD and for increased ratings for his depressive disorder, lumbar strain with radiculitis, right tibia and fibula fracture residuals, and recurrent lumbar strain. The issue of TDIU is also pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed. The Board also granted service connection for major depression, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety disorder, NOS, with alcohol abuse related thereto.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for clarification of his hearing request and scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder not otherwise specified resulted in total occupational and social impairment from October 20, 2011 to July 9, 2012.,A 100 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted effective October 20, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety during active duty, including his experiences aboard USS CAPE COD in Southwest Asia, is etiologically related to his current acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mild neurocognitive disorder is not related to his service or any service-connected condition, including minimal inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchiectasis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and service connection for PTSD. Additional VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder with depression and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a low back disorder, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are alleged to be aggravating her nonservice-connected back disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, which is secondary to his service-connected hypertension, has been remanded due to the need for proper notification regarding the requirements of secondary service-connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted. However, her increased rating claim for migraine headaches prior to November 25, 2008 and from that date (rated at 30% and 50%, respectively) was denied as she failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is found to be related to his service-connected Crohn's disease.,Chronic fatigue was not diagnosed or attributed to any specific condition in the medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the previous denial. The case will be reconsidered without requiring new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus type II, tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal re-entry, and degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any other compensable exposure.

The Veteran's depression is currently rated at 50 percent prior to April 2, 2012, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 23, 2004, for service connection for depression and TDIU were denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law has already been assigned. The claim for Dependent's Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 was also denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement.