Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 28, 2010. The evidence shows that the condition causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with insomnia was increased to a 50 percent rating effective March 17, 2014. Prior to that date, the Veteran's condition more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were rated at 70 percent prior to December 7, 2012, due to significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the cause of his upper and lower extremity deficits, including whether they are due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective July 15, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. New evidence submitted since the last final denial includes statements from the Veteran and witnesses describing in-service events and symptoms, as well as VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, effective from May 30, 2014. The left shoulder disability appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran. The compensable rating for IBS remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are granted with an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to June 18, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent since then. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and uterine fibroids have been reopened but not decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an updated medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a polysubstance abuse disorder. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service, and his substance use is considered voluntary.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, and depression NOS, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The VA examiner found the Veteran had a GAF score of 50, which corresponds to the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, primarily anxiety, depression, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, is not related to service or any incident of service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a previous decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including whether they pre-existed service entrance, and his diverticulitis.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to her service-connected splenectomy, and she was granted service connection for that condition. The right ear injury scar has been rated at 30% since the beginning of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted with an effective date of January 10, 2005, the date his initial claim for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was received.