Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder warrants a rating of 100 percent throughout the entire period of the claim. The criteria for an effective date earlier than March 3, 2011, for service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction have not been met. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants entitlement to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 28, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating due to paranoid delusions and suicidal ideation.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS Merrill and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's in-service event and any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and Schizophreniform Disorder with Paranoia (also claimed as severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder).,However, the claim remains on appeal as new evidence does not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of heart disorder, back disorder, brain disorder (head injury residual), and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, a major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is found to be incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected organic heart disease with mitral regurgitation is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for his right knee disability and distal index finger disability. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his active service. The claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the lack of verified stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from May 5, 2009 to July 25, 2013. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depression and other psychiatric disorders, have caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation as of September 11, 2011.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD and MDD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also found that he is entitled to a TDIU throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds that his depressive disorder is less likely than not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression symptoms have been evaluated as approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (to include major depressive disorder), and skin cancer have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety are found to be related to an in-service rape, which has been corroborated. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.