Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims have been denied as his appeals do not involve service connection issues, but rather focus on rating determinations and effective dates. The specific issues are related to increased ratings for various conditions and effective date determinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors in Thailand and provide notice regarding establishing service connection for PTSD under the revised regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he also has a diagnosis of major depression. The issue of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted service connection and assigned an initial rating of 70 percent, effective December 11, 2007.

The Veteran's depressive disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively. The Veteran is not found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder, finding that new evidence supports her claims. The diagnoses are in part related to alleged harassment, sexual assault, and attempted rape during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination by a psychiatrist to assess the etiology of any current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new information provided by the Veteran regarding an assault in service, and a request should be made to the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) to obtain a copy of the police report.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating prior to March 24, 2008, and a 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of the left knee, and left ankle sprain, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected bilateral ankle and low back disabilities, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. His lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 60 percent prior to January 13, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for updated examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service, while depression is linked to other conditions. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his time in service.

The Veteran's PTSD, including anxiety, panic attacks and depression, was incurred in service and granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's right eye disability is rated at a 100 percent disability rating due to the combination of service-connected and nonservice-connected visual impairment. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also rated at a 100 percent disability rating.