Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his multiple sclerosis and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety and/or depression), and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his mental health condition and its impact on daily living.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, including alcohol abuse, skin disorders, psychiatric disabilities, or low back issues.

The Veteran's major depression and anxiety disorder are currently evaluated at 70 percent disabling, effective June 26, 2002. The claims for increased evaluations, earlier effective dates, and TDIU/DEA benefits remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of alternate diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify whether the Veteran engaged in combat and if so, which stressors are related. The RO must also obtain VA treatment records and attempt to independently verify any reported non-combat stressors. If combat service is established or a verified non-combat stressor is found, the Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, are related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not shown to have begun during service and is not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to incomplete documentation and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify if the Veteran's reported stressors occurred during service, and to determine whether he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and chronic major depression.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been found to approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating, which is higher than the current 50 percent evaluation. The Board has granted an increased rating in this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of a stressor related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, leading to service connection for PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was incurred or aggravated in service. The claim will be reviewed based on the examination report.

The Board has determined that an additional VA mental disorders examination and medical opinion is required to decide whether the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS is of service origin and granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial rating decision, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including depression, that is related to his service. Therefore, he cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development, including a VA examination and Social Security Administration records.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including mental health treatment records from service hospitals and VA records of recent psychiatric evaluations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being reviewed.