Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's depressive disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively. The Veteran is not found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder, finding that new evidence supports her claims. The diagnoses are in part related to alleged harassment, sexual assault, and attempted rape during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination by a psychiatrist to assess the etiology of any current psychiatric disability and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new information provided by the Veteran regarding an assault in service, and a request should be made to the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) to obtain a copy of the police report.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating prior to March 24, 2008, and a 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of the left knee, and left ankle sprain, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected bilateral ankle and low back disabilities, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. His lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 60 percent prior to January 13, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for updated examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service, while depression is linked to other conditions. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his time in service.

The Veteran's PTSD, including anxiety, panic attacks and depression, was incurred in service and granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's right eye disability is rated at a 100 percent disability rating due to the combination of service-connected and nonservice-connected visual impairment. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also rated at a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse caused or aggravated his sleep apnea, including whether his unwillingness to use his CPAP machine due to claustrophobia has aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service and denied his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and anxiety and depression, finding that there is no probative evidence of current disabilities related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder had its onset during active military service and is granted service connection. The claim for PTSD remains on appeal, as does the claim for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression with psychosis does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his psychiatric symptoms, which do not impair his ability to perform daily activities.