Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for incontinence, resulting in a 50% disability rating. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities is also established, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and cognitive disorder were withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The RO has ordered the Veteran to undergo a VA examination and requested additional records from his VA care providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence, including obtaining records from other VA facilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is related to his military service. The Board concludes that all reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating from December 3, 2001 to September 24, 2002.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his diagnosed psychiatric disorders, which include PTSD, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and an unspecified anxiety disorder. The Board has determined that more development is needed to establish the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his Substantive Appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from July 13, 2009. The disability picture more nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vitiligo and psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA treatment records from 1996.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining service treatment records, updating VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder due to sexual trauma that occurred during service. The Veteran's current depression is found to be related to the testicular examinations he underwent in service, which was found to be analogous to sexual trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive symptoms does not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and mood disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) at the Veteran's most recent address. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 22, 2004. The Board also found that the Veteran meets criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms as described in the rating criteria.

The Veteran's case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and formal adjudication of his claims, including service connection for major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disability as secondary to PTSD.