Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of combat service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder developed during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression. The issue of whether this condition is related to military service remains on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, asthma and chronic bronchitis, and major depressive disorder are all due to conditions incurred or aggravated during her period of active service. The effective date for these determinations is June 6, 1978, one day after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied due to her failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in August 2007. The Board found that she did not provide good cause for missing the examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for depression as secondary to his ankle fractures is also related to the main issue of loss of use of both feet.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for L5 burst fracture and depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are found to be service-connected due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event, and the psychiatric disorder was not documented during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining updated information on the Veteran's whereabouts and stressors during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and the Board found that he had a valid PTSD diagnosis based on verified stressors. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder related to his service-connected ear condition.

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's PTSD claim but denied his claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision on service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Veteran's son, S.G., is permanently incapable of self-support due to multiple mental and physical impairments since prior to his 18th birthday. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting helpless child status for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the Veteran's unverified stressors and need for a VA examination to determine if he has any non-PTSD psychiatric diagnoses related to service. The case is remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further development.