Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 26, 2008. The Board finds that the disability picture does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2011. This rating is in line with the severity of his symptoms which include occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression are found to be at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). As a result, the Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia and depression, finding no direct link between his active duty service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of an increased rating for a depressive disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The increased rating claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and muscle tension headaches have also been denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and her TDIU claim has been denied due to the severity of her service-connected disabilities not preventing her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD related to service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include depression, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the severity of the Veteran's major depressive disorder and its impact on her ability to work. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's July 10, 2000 application for service connection was a valid claim and should be considered as part of his original claim. Therefore, an effective date of July 10, 2000 is granted for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5237, and denied an increased rating greater than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity PVD was granted, but a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and depression are both denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 23, 2016 is denied as his combined disability rating is now at 100% and he has a 100% rating for PTSD. The issue of TDIU from May 23, 2016 remains pending.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines from January 15, 2015. The claim for service connection for anxiety reaction was reopened and the Veteran is now service connected for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to her service-connected back problem. Service connection for a hysterectomy is denied. The effective date for the 30 percent rating for head injury residuals is set at July 11, 2011. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected major depressive disorder, low back strain with sciatica, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with arthritis, right hip bursitis, right hip limitation of extension, and right hip limitation of flexion; all of which are a combined rating of 80 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder and depression (PTSD), and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted.,Initial ratings of 30 percent, 50 percent, 20 percent, and 40 percent have been assigned for PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, respectively.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, and concluded that there is no evidence of fault on VA's part. Therefore, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 has been denied.