Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression with anxiety, ADD, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), was not caused or aggravated by a disease or injury in active service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of depressive disorder, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of depressive disorder, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of reopening a PTSD claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since March 23, 2012 and increased to 70 percent effective May 15, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms warrant a 70 percent rating for the entire period under review.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and TBI were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for PTSD with MDD was also denied, but only prior to December 20, 2013; from that date onwards, he received ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities and any acquired psychiatric disorders, and determining the nature and etiology of any diagnosed eye disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder was not present during active military service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to any incident of service. The claim for respiratory disorder has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missed VA examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's vertigo and acquired psychiatric disability are being evaluated again.

The Veteran's current depression is caused by his active duty service and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to a military sexual assault (MTS), anxiety and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims of an MST have been corroborated by multiple VA providers who accepted her reports as credible.

The Veteran's depressive disorder associated with bladder cancer is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not accurately depict the severity of his condition. The Veteran has fatigue, anxiety, low motivation, and mild memory loss, which are consistent with a 50% rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. However, these symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 50% evaluation for the period prior to February 19, 2015. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for reinstating apportionment of the Veteran's benefits to his dependent mother was dismissed as he is not a proper claimant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for status post excision of malignant melanoma on the right scapular area, claimed as skin cancer, has been reopened. The evidence submitted relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.,Service connection was denied for dermatoheliosis (skin rash) due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 19, 2008 for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder were not met from May 17, 2011 onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent from July 19, 2013. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the period prior to July 19, 2013.,From July 19, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals that interfere with his routine activities, unprovoked irritability and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board has found these symptoms more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.