Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of his stressor allegations and a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric or back disorders.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board granted an effective date of June 7, 1999 for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depression.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant must be provided with VCAA compliant notice and a VA medical opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as a result of his service in World War II. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected heart disease, which is considered a direct result of service. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that new evidence presented is sufficient to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran engaged in combat service and his reported stressors are consistent with the circumstances of his service. Therefore, he is presumed to have experienced the stressors during service, which supports a grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current degree of impairment due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic psychiatric disability other than PTSD, but denied his claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been withdrawn. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to multiple disabilities, including his right knee and low back conditions.

The Veteran's mood disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment that most nearly approximates reduced reliability and productivity without deficiencies in most of the areas of work, school, family, judgment and thinking. The claim for a higher initial rating for a mood disorder has been granted with an initial 50 percent disability rating effective June 27, 2005.

The Veteran's disabilities, including anxiety and low back pain, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder as these conditions are linked to his in-service stressor of a motor vehicle accident while stationed in Germany. Residual scarring from the head/facial injury sustained during the MVA has also been granted.

The Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorders (not otherwise specified) have been rated at 50 percent since June 30, 2008. The symptoms include disturbances of motivation and mood, which result in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depression was granted. Service connection is also established for prostatitis with a rating of 50 percent. The decision does not address the issues related to stress or memory loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder were denied as there is no evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation, and his current conditions do not meet the criteria to be considered disabilities.