Depression decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but finds that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD were found to have first manifested during his active service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including adjudicating claims of service connection for depression, anxiety, and mood swings secondary to service-connected disorders. The Veteran's ability to work considering all her service-connected disabilities will also be assessed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, dissociative identity disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were incurred or aggravated by her military service. The presumption of soundness is not rebutted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including verifying alleged stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and major depressive disorders. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the appellant's personality disorder was not incurred in service and his current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service or any incident therein, including aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to assess his employability.

The Veteran's pterygia of the left eye is granted service connection. The Board remanded other issues for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA medical records, SSA records, and a psychiatric examination. The claims for an increased evaluation for his psychiatric condition and TDIU will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings on depressive disorder and prostate cancer, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy and probable old myocardial infarction, depression with cognitive disorder associated with residuals of cerebrovascular accident, prostate cancer with impotence, dermatitis breast and arms, history of hepatitis, and residuals of cerebrovascular accident with right upper extremity hand weakness. The Veteran requires assistance in performing daily activities due to his disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder and depression due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative. The claim of service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition, and the post-service medical records do not show continuity of symptomatology with any diagnosed disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including consideration of secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder as related to the appellant's service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to incomplete procedures from the previous remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, was incurred in service and grants the claim for service connection.