Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Dependents Educational Assistance benefits were granted effective October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other issue on appeal.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since April 14, 2009. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, auditory hallucinations, paranoia, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of medical records. The Board will determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, an addendum opinion from the August 2014 VA examiner, and another attempt to obtain Dr. Harrington's records.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders do not produce deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The disability is rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for depression and for an effective date earlier than September 26, 2008 for service connection for depression. The decision is final as the claim was not filed within one year after the August 2003 rating decision denying service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including his depression and anxiety, is being exacerbated by his service-connected low back disability. The Board grants the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and denied both issues.

The Veteran's additional psychiatric disabilities, including depression and substance abuse dependence, are caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-PTSD acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety disorder, are not related to his military service. The diagnoses stem from childhood stressors and events prior to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran also had his request to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, knees, feet, elbows, hands, and neck denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his in-service noise exposure during active duty.