Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 2, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of frequent panic attacks, social isolation, poor concentration, and depressed mood meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or service-connected acne vulgaris.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 11, 2011. The claims for hypertension and anxiety/depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hip disorder, ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis. The remaining issues were addressed, but the case is remanded for additional examinations and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and reopened the claims for cervical strain and low back pain. The increased rating and TDIU claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from March 25, 2010. The issues of increased ratings for the right ankle and depression disabilities are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his initial evaluations for bilateral TMJ disability and major depressive disorder were found to be appropriate, with the highest ratings of 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to active service and an audiometric evaluation of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for fibromyalgia and TDIU was denied as her disability picture is adequately contemplated by the rating schedule criteria, and she does not meet the requirements for a schedular or extraschedular TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety symptoms are already contemplated by his rating for service-connected major depressive disorder, and is against a finding that the Veteran has a separate diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the Veteran's inability to attend his scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression did not have its onset during service and is not related to his active duty. The claim for service connection for depression was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to service. The Board is granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's panic disorder is rated at 50 percent effective as of July 8, 2014. His TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was granted. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the June 1980 rating decision denying stomach condition service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 19, 2009. The Board found that the evidence established he was totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities as of August 31, 2007, but not within one year prior.