Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and clarification of her choice of representation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a duodenal ulcer have healed and his current symptoms are due to an unrelated partial gastrectomy, thus denying his increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records from service and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining MRs from the Veteran's unit in Vietnam and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and conduct additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing appropriate notice regarding PTSD based on personal assault and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine condition and associated mood disorder are found to be of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The examiner should assess whether his nonservice-connected conditions render him in need of assistance with activities of daily living.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and adjudication of the TDIU claim. The issue on appeal remains an increased initial evaluation for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent opinion linking the current disorder to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is reopened. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his current symptoms are causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The examiner must provide an addendum addressing whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that it was not established as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a psychiatric and dermatology examination to assess his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's depression is service-connected and secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's sleep apnea requires a CPAP machine, warranting a 50% initial evaluation prior to April 21, 2005. His ventral hernia warrants an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is found to be the primary cause of his acid reflux disease. The Veteran's lower extremity and mental health disabilities are also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to be related to his service, allowing for service connection.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Board finds all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is also determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. All reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression with stress related cognitive dysfunction, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records.