Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the current psychiatric disorder is related to emotional maladjustment during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that there is a need for additional development of the appellant's VA treatment records and for a clarifying medical opinion regarding whether his current depression is related to military service. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing. He is requested to appear for either a Travel Board or videoconference hearing.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty in the Veteran's service record and ongoing treatment for depression.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since the date of service connection, and his claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication on the merits.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with depression is not properly presented due to a final rating decision in 1985. The Veteran did not file a timely appeal of that decision and thus, it became final.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any innocently acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance was denied because his nonservice-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, major depressive disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exceed the 300 percent mortality threshold.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional due process considerations, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other mental disorders is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, consideration of new regulations, and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the date of service connection, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has determined that the service-connected depressive disorder contributed to the Veteran's death from metastatic esophagus cancer, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, right knee instability as a residual of removal of an osteochondroma of the right distal medial femur, and right hip disability as a residual of removal of an osteochondroma of the right distal medial femur. The rating for major depression remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 30 percent since January 16, 2007. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from January 30, 2002.

The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such an increase.