Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, major depressive disorder, did not have its onset in service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment, but not total social and occupational impairment. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 5, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for depressive disorder is granted, as his depression began in approximately 2003 when he started Interferon treatment for his hepatitis B.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder had onset during his active service and the Board has determined that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including mood disorder with depression and anxiety, is found to have originated during his period of active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a low back disability with associated sciatica, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current sleep impairment and mental health issues are related to his military service. The claim for a sleep disorder is reopened.

The Veteran's mood disorder, associated with Graves' disease, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, TBI residuals, migraines, vertigo, cervical disorder, and shoulder disorders have been granted. However, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD were found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating, effective July 14, 2011.

The Veteran's MDD has been granted a 70 percent rating and an effective date of May 29, 2012. The claim for earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his reported stressors and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for service connection of diverticulitis or TDIU, but granted a higher rating for major depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in a need for aid and attendance prior to September 30, 2010, granting an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depression existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, which the Board finds is related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as depression or anxiety, are not related to service or any incident of service.