Depression decisions — 2010

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The case is being remanded to consider new evidence submitted by the veteran, including a March 2010 opinion letter from a VA licensed clinical social worker.

The Veteran is entitled to a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric conditions. He also has entitlement to a higher level of SMC based on loss of use of both lower extremities prior to September 8, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employment and another examination to address the relationship between his diagnoses of bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder with depression. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected major depressive disorder, to include anxiety disorder, was denied by the Board. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for insomnia and depression, which he contends are caused by his service-connected knee disabilities. The case must be remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct a VA examination regarding the severity of his knee disabilities, and provide an appropriate VA examination regarding his claimed insomnia and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including proper VCAA notice and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a scar above his left eye or other impairment affecting this region.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) was exacerbated beyond its natural progression due to VA's carelessness, negligence and error in judgment during his treatment from 1994 until 2002. The decision also granted compensation for depression secondary to CAD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and depressive disorder, as well as to update treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not shown to be related to service. The claim will therefore be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's death from terminal pneumonia was caused by heart disease, which developed as a result of his service-connected depression. The Board finds that the Veteran's death meets the criteria for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbo-thoracic spine disability has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is still denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities as they are not related to his service-connected residuals of a fractured left fibula with left ankle strain.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders she may have, including whether they are related to her military service or personal assault.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep problems, stomach disability with nausea, bruising, chondromalacia of the left knee, chondromalacia of both knees, and arthralgia of both ankles have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected bipolar disorder (also claimed as manic depression) is being remanded to the RO for further consideration, including whether referral of the case for extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1) is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical opinions regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a personality disorder. However, the claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file, including obtaining VA examination reports referenced in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to in-service stressors, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.