Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations, including obtaining private treatment records, verifying military sexual trauma allegations, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral radiculopathy and depressive disorder, precluded gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise have qualified him from December 16, 2003 to August 9, 2004. The TDIU claim is granted during this period.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors and need for further development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to additional development needed. The claim will be reconsidered on a direct basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including PTSD, depression, and dysthymia, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance, and a compensable evaluation for cataracts due to untimely notice of disagreement. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence now shows that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board granted service connection for seizure disorder and major depressive disorder as secondary to the service-connected seizure disorder, effective January 31, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and his current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, did not have its onset in service or within one year thereafter and has not been etiologically linked to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records. The Veteran is also to be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including as secondary to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), is not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. He also needs to be afforded VA examinations for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for tension headaches with depression. The Veteran's contentions regarding PTSD are treated as a separate issue.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is currently rated at 70 percent since April 27, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms described meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, including depression, existed during service and thereafter, thus granting service connection for an anxiety disorder.

The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations related to his claims, resulting in the denial of increased ratings and a claim for TDIU due to failure to provide good cause.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but overall functioning remains satisfactory.