Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to April 4, 2005, and as of June 1, 2005. The current rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as there is no basis to assign an earlier effective date under the law.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and panic disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to November 8, 2013. The left great toe disability has been rated as non-compensable.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia and depression, not otherwise specified. The appeal was remanded multiple times due to incomplete records and lack of response from various medical facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolysis and depressive disorder are service connected, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected spondylolysis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric and leg movement disabilities.

The Board found that a major depressive disorder incurred during service is entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's cluster headaches are found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disorder, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His depression claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression was denied, as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation. The effective date of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was granted but no earlier than August 24, 2010.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder prior to January 2, 2014 was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that a new TBI examination is necessary to clarify whether the Veteran has residuals of his inservice head trauma and, if so, what such residuals are. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, is not service connected as it did not manifest during or due to active military service. The Board finds that the Veteran's depression and anxiety are already contemplated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused significant occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically depression, are proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease and have been aggravated by these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed major depressive disorder, which was first noted in April 2009 during the current appellate period, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including addressing a possible secondary service connection claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, a depressive disorder, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service or any service-connected disability. The VA medical opinions are against a direct and secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective from March 6, 2014. No other conditions have been evaluated.