Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to consider all psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD based on alleged personal assault in service.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence during service or within one year post-service. His claim for psychotic depressive disorder was not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are considered to be related to his time in active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophreniform disorder, did not increase in severity during service and was a natural progression of the condition. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran had a service-connected psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and whether it contributed to his death. The appeal for burial allowance will be deferred as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is pending due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. Service connection will be adjudicated for all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic in-service condition or continuous symptomatology post-service.

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 claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to a verified stressor incurred in service and concludes that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical evaluations for her service-connected bronchial asthma, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The issues of a compensable evaluation prior to June 10, 2004 and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent beginning June 10, 2004 for service-connected bronchial asthma are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain pertinent records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depression, were rated at 30 percent from October 26, 2004 to September 21, 2007, and then increased to 50 percent effective September 22, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and left epididymitis do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as his nonservice-connected orthopedic disorders are more severely disabling.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 15, 2005, the day following his service separation.