Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be considered in conjunction with the service connection claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depression, finding that his symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression with psychotic features is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence regarding lost work time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, major depression, memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness, and skin rash due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence received since the September 2004 decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and if any other psychiatric disability is related to his active service. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated based on the results of this examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a VA pathologist review of the Veteran's death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current dental, hernia, nasal, testicular, depression, dementia, or cancer conditions to support service connection for any of these issues.

From December 30, 2002 to April 5, 2004, the Veteran's major depression was rated at 50 percent.,Effective from April 6, 2004, a 70 percent rating for major depression is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and bipolar disorder do not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, as her symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which was previously denied in February 2003 due to a lack of evidence linking his current mental health conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome and left knee disability are not related to service, and his psychiatric disorder is not shown to be due to service. Therefore, these claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and a back disorder. The claim for depression was denied as it is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition, while the claim for a back disorder lacks sufficient evidence to establish its onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The claims folder must be reviewed in connection with the examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was granted a 70% evaluation from October 28, 2005 to January 30, 2007. From January 31, 2007 to April 1, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD with depression did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 50%. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his claimed stressors are consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. The Board finds that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.

The VA granted a 50 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder with sleep disorder and anxiety attacks prior to April 6, 2010. The claim for nonservice-connected pension was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from March 29, 2007 until July 9, 2009. Beginning on July 9, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating.