Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, secondary to an in-service personal assault, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD and established a link between the current symptoms and the claimed stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and finds no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a new opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated his current depression.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for depressive disorder and cervical spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The claim for a skin disability claimed as chloracne was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with mild depressive disorder has not resulted in symptoms demonstrating or approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, thus the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's skin disability and acquired psychiatric disorder were not shown to have onset during service or be related to service, including as secondary to service-connected alopecia. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current left knee condition and his service-connected right knee disability. The stomach disability is also found to be secondary to medications used for treatment of service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for depression was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU is denied as the earliest possible effective date he may receive is August 20, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders and low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atonic neurogenic bladder after August 28, 2012. The Veteran is satisfied with the current rating assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning erectile dysfunction and dental disorder claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claim for an earlier effective date for IBS was dismissed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 27, 2012 for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded. The Board has also referred his claim for service connection for mood disorder, with mixed depression and anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely related to his in-service exposure. The issue of a higher rating for duodenitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hiatal hernia with erosion of teeth extending into dentine and dental caries is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected and his anxiety disorder warrants a rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable criteria.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, for accrued benefits purposes. As such, these matters are dismissed.