Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's MDD with generalized anxiety disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating throughout the entire period of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder with PTSD features, depression, and ADHD, finding that these conditions are due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left second toe stress fracture was denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches was granted, but the rating assigned (10%) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency or severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, were not aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that any current mental health issues are more likely related to his long history of alcohol use.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, was not shown to be related to service. His diverticulitis was also not shown to be related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and his other diagnoses, as well as to assess his employability due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder with major depressive disorder, has been rated at 100% since June 17, 2010, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The appeal is currently in process.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS with cognitive deficits to include sleep disorder claimed as a mood disorder and nervous condition is now considered service connected as secondary to his service-connected stomach condition, characterized as non-ulcer dyspepsia and/or irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the stomach condition has been dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and is remanding the remaining issues including sleep apnea, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression) for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. T.W.S., scheduling a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, and providing him with an opportunity to respond to the supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is related to his reported in-service stressors and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and TBI, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to an in-service assault. The Veteran's other claims have been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, finding credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's in-service exposure to a noncombat-related stressor and an approximate balance of favorable and unfavorable evidence as to whether he has a current diagnosis related to this stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent disabling from April 15, 2008 to August 2, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 19, 2004, which is the day after his separation from service.

The Board has broadened the claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder and has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his military service. The case is now remanded for further development.