Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board also found that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, which include major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia. Her TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD. This includes obtaining updated treatment records, verifying the Veteran's reported stressors, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his current psychiatric condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was granted, resulting in a rating of 70 percent effective April 24, 2006. The decision also addressed the payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and issuing a statement of the case for increased evaluations for inguinal hernia and painful burn scar of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since April 24, 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU effective from April 24, 2006.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder. The evidence submitted since the July 2006 rating decision relates to in-service stressors that may have caused his current psychiatric disorders. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as anxiety and depression, had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination regarding service connection for PTSD, which may be reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS renders him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the claim for major depressive disorder is no longer in dispute. Service connection has been established for a spinal disability (S1 grade 1 spondylolisthesis with symptomatology that manifested within one year of separation from active duty). The Veteran's weight loss condition does not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and the claim for chest pain is reopened but denied. Evidence received since the September 1997 rating decision is both new and material and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, headaches, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his requested videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), a seizure disorder, and migraine headaches. The effective date of any future grant of service connection would be determined based on when the application was filed.

The Board has expanded the issue of service connection for any acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to his claim of service connection for PTSD.,His fractured fourth metacarpal of the right hand is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective October 24, 2011.,His major depressive disorder is currently rated at a 70 percent disability rating, also effective October 24, 2011. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, existed prior to service and were aggravated by his military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and GAD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70% or 100%. The disability was characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, sleep impairment, short-term memory impairment, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing work and social relationships.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and anxiety/depressive disorder. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus remains pending.