Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which includes Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Veteran's current mental health issues are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression and anxiety with anger has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues in February 2006. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records, review the private medical records, and provide a definitive opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and PTSD, which he attributes to his military service. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder was denied. The evidence showed that the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the level required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities (low back syndrome and depression) do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of hypertension, heart disability, stomach disability, and chronic bronchitis. The remaining claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected dysthymic disorder with depression is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is due to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left peroneal nerve palsy, major depressive disorder, right knee strain, lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, and left knee dislocation, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are met.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with dysthymia, chronic depression, and personality disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to preclude him from performing substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's depression is not service-connected as it is not related to his service-connected condyloma acuminata, penile and anal areas. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, stress and sleep problems based on new evidence submitted since the last denial. The Veteran's personal statements, service treatment records (STRs), and recent VA treatment records now provide competent medical evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder of depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and depression, were not incurred during active service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and mood instability, are related to his military service. The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.