Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that a VA psychiatric examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to active duty service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's major depression is found to be due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. His heart condition and kidney condition are not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability that is etiologically related to his active service and a psychosis was not present within a year of the Veteran's separation from active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and chronic depression. The Veteran's service records do not show a diagnosis or symptoms of such disorders during his military service, but he reports having experienced them since discharge.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete personnel records and the need for a VA examination to determine if her current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left knee is found to be service-connected due to a shrapnel wound. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression) has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prior to May 26, 2010 was manifested by reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulties in establishing effective work and social relationships. The Veteran received a 50% evaluation for this period.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, during service or thereafter. The appellant's symptoms were not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's dysthymic disorder and depression existed prior to service, but did not aggravate during service. Therefore, it was determined that these conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has decided that further development is needed due to unclear medical nexus evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically hepatitis C and hemigastrectomy with billroth I anastomosis and vagotomy with postoperative residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The VA will seek clarification from the July 2010 VA examiners and determine if any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by a suicide due to severe depression, which was a manifestation of his service-connected Graves Disease and hypothyroidism. The Board finds that the cause of death is attributable to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and completion of the necessary forms regarding his employment.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depression with anxiety disorder NOS is being remanded due to the interrelationship between her service-connected condition and a non-service-connected personality disorder. Additional records are needed, including private and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety disorders were initially clinically demonstrated during service, and have been shown since then. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate has been remanded due to insufficient information regarding his actual nonservice-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain additional medical records, including from SSA, and schedule a VA examination to determine if he is in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several of his claims.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $483.60 for a vocational rehabilitation subsistence allowance was improperly created and assessed against the Veteran, thus allowing his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.