Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's depression. The issue of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for depression.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's lay assertions of in-service stressors are sufficient to establish their occurrence and a link between those stressors and his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and cellulitis of the right and left legs have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, fibromyalgia, dysthymic disorder (claimed as depression), hypertension, loss of sense of taste, and loss of sense of smell. The claim for TDIU benefits was also addressed but is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a claim for service connection for depression secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. A new VA psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his incarceration and lack of service personnel records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss and depression.

The Veteran's October 1, 2007 VA Form 9 was not timely filed and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression with generalized anxiety disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas since September 2, 2008. Prior to that date, the disability was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, including mood disorder and depressive disorder, is granted due to credible evidence of the claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and panic disorders, is found to be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The back disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The right knee tendonitis and left knee patellofemoral stress syndrome are each rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's esophageal disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are found to be service-connected. However, the claim for periodontal disease is denied as it can only be considered for purposes of eligibility to dental treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was initially rated at 30 percent from September 9, 1998 to July 24, 2005. The effective date for TDIU was granted as of June 20, 2003 and later adjusted to July 25, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 28, 2007 is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,Service connection was granted for depression with an effective date of March 11, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to combat-related activities in Vietnam, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is required before it can adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms of flattened affect and moderate impairment in social functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depression with psychotic features, and panic disorder with agoraphobia as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's combat experiences in Vietnam.