Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records, including VA treatment records from the Coatesville VA and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for examinations to determine whether he has an acquired psychiatric disability related to service or a service-connected condition, as well as whether his erectile dysfunction and left eye disorder are secondary to his inflammatory arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and related issues of headaches and erectile dysfunction to include as due to a psychiatric disability is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's depression is due to his service-connected left finger disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that it is related to her service-connected multiple sclerosis. The right ear disability and respiratory disability claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including those involving diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a skin rash, bilateral hearing loss, depression disorder, and anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD with symptoms of depression has been rated at 70 percent since February 9, 2010 to June 20, 2012.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a C-section scar and lumbar spine disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, is substantiated but the issue of bilateral lower extremity disability (peripheral neuropathy) remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with mild MDD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder, was aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for this aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder with depression, finding that no legal merit exists as his original claim was not timely appealed.

The Veteran was granted a 50 percent disability rating for depressive disorder effective April 12, 2010.,He was also granted a TDIU on a schedular basis effective April 12, 2010. The case is now remanded to determine if an extraschedular TDIU should be granted prior to April 4, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records, and a review of SSA records.

The Veteran's application for restoration of competency to handle her VA benefits was denied due to her severe psychiatric symptoms and inability to manage her finances or daily activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism, but has determined that these claims are not granted on their merits.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol dependence has been found to cause occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran is currently employed full-time and earning a salary above the poverty threshold, thus denying entitlement to TDIU.