Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault stressor is not credible, and there is no evidence of any service-connected psychiatric injury or disease. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

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

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining VA treatment records from 1993 to the present, and then readjudicating the Veteran's claims on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination. The claim for PTSD will be evaluated under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(4) (2009), which addresses claims based on personal assault allegations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue remains whether he should receive an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD due to his in-service combat stressors, as well as an opinion on whether any additional acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder results in moderate social and occupational impairment, with symptoms such as depression, lack of energy, feelings of loneliness, sleep problems, appetite changes, nervousness, weight gain, worries, low self-esteem, irritability, panic attacks, and an inability to relax. The current rating of 50% is maintained.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and determining whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for a depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and personality disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, is not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected right eye cataract. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a VA psychiatric examination, and re-adjudication of the claim.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to multiple disabilities, including knee conditions, depression, tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy, and arterial disease. The Veteran is found unemployable by reason of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hearing loss, neck disability, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability. The appeal is remanded to verify the Veteran's claimed periods of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychotic disorder and finds no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The claim for depressive disorder is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The diagnosis is based on the merits of the claim rather than a presumption or reopening due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is now remanded to seek confirmation of in-service stressors that may support these diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of hearing on some issues and because one claim is stayed based on new presumptions. The remaining eight claims are pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.