Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective from March 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO granted the requested increased ratings effective March 21, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, as his symptoms are better explained by a personality disorder and substance abuse disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing treatment records and personnel file, as well as the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and MDD is pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to military sexual trauma during active duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA clinical records and a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service, or that it was caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including psychiatric disorders, GERD, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, sinusitis, eczema, erectile dysfunction, and hip disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that his diagnosed major depressive and anxiety disorders are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected duodenal ulcer with duodenitis, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to January 31, 2009.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD with major depression, recurrent severe panic disorder, and agoraphobia was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining translations of Spanish documents and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and evaluate his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a knee disorder and granted it. The psychiatric disorder and sleep disorder claims were denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with dysthymia resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU prior to September 6, 2009. Since then, he has been rated at 70 percent due to his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin condition of the feet, high blood pressure, and psychiatric disability (depression) are all related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's most appropriate diagnosis for his psychiatric symptoms is major depressive disorder, which was likely aggravated by his service-connected fibromyalgia. The criteria for a grant of service connection for major depressive disorder are met.