Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service connection for major depressive disorder and assigning an effective date if granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's depression/dysthymia is related to service or his service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, including her claimed in-service stressors. The decision grants these claims.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression is manifested by irritability, frustration, depression, passing thoughts of suicide, sleeping difficulties, poor appetite, social avoidance, anhedonia, and a low Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 55. These symptoms are indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has expanded the issue from PTSD alone to include other psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's service records show exposure to stressful combat situations in Vietnam, but the RO must clarify what stressors are credible and verify them for a diagnosis of PTSD. Further medical clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran has any diagnosed psychiatric disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim requires additional development, including obtaining Army National Guard service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not establish that he was unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities prior to May 10, 1999.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, and depression, were not related to his service or any in-service stressors. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no verified in-service stressors for PTSD, and thus denied service connection for the disability. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was also not granted as it is considered a direct result of his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 19, 2008 and remains rated at 10 percent since that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or the result of active duty and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, due to a lack of verified stressors and insufficient evidence supporting his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being considered on its merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient verification of stressors. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression and anxiety disorder, is also being considered.

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