Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran's hip complaints/degenerative disc disease of the hips were denied as secondary to a service-connected disability, but no medical opinion supports this finding.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, with depression is rated at 50 percent effective July 5, 2011. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.,VA examination revealed no current right or left knee disability. The Veteran reported pain in service but there was no medical record documentation until 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia. The diagnosis of personality disorder is not considered a disease or injury under VA compensation laws.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a left wrist condition have been granted. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities have been granted, with effective dates set at February 17, 2009.,Effective from February 17, 2009, the Veteran is now entitled to VA benefits for her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU was granted, with the effective date set at March 27, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records from the Harlem Vet Center and for proper notice regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including pedophilia, adjustment disorder, dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression, are at least as likely as not related to service. However, the skin cancer is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression is related to her active duty service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression has been productive of functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the rating period. The Board finds that a 50 percent disability rating is warranted for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of all diagnosed Axis I psychiatric disorders and any private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression NOS, and generalized anxiety disorder), finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The decision found that equitable tolling did not apply and that the Veteran was capable of rational thought during the period in question.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinions and the need to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of an acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, service connection for any psychiatric disability was denied.