Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including potential PTSD stressor development or obtaining an opinion to address the medical matters raised by this appeal. The Veteran is currently incarcerated.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C has been reopened and is being reviewed on the merits.,The skin disorder claim related to Agent Orange exposure remains pending, as new evidence was submitted but does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The psychiatric disorder claim is being addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as a gynecological disorder, including uterine fibroids and hysterectomy. The Veteran's reports of in-service sexual trauma are credible, leading to the diagnosis of PTSD. Her gynecological issues are linked to her service due to exposure to hazardous environmental conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, bronchitis, knee disorders, asthma, and increased evaluation for major depressive disorder. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to evaluate the Veteran's claims, including mental health treatment records and a VA examination for his service-connected depression. Additionally, another VA examination of the Veteran's low back disability is required due to the lack of recent evaluation. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and lay statements, as well as a new VA examination to clarify the nature of her psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The reduction in his right ankle disability rating to 10 percent was upheld.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of August 30, 2001, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board found no evidence of post-polio syndrome in service or subsequent to service, and concluded that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression (claimed as a personality disorder), is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The RO must consider this additional evidence in readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his hearing preferences. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his substantive appeal for the combined rating of heat stroke residuals and depression was not timely filed, and he did not request an extension of time to file a timely appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or association with service.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. The TDIU claim will be deferred until this development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, including verification of stressors and a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Board found that neither the Veteran's depression nor his anxiety had onset during active service and were not otherwise related to active service, including as secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, which may be related to pre-existing conditions or new evidence. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed in light of potential reopening on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his military service and denied service connection for these conditions.