Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as this is a procedural matter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney stones, skin cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, depression and anxiety, and PTSD have been granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a recent amendment to VA regulations regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's PTSD is being evaluated based on his statements about his experiences in Iraq, which included feeling scared. If the evidence of record is insufficient, he will be afforded a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion under the duty to assist.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his other diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including depressive disorder not otherwise specified, anxiety, and personality disorder, are not shown to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the unavailability of VA treatment records from Little Rock, Arkansas VAMC. The Veteran and his representative are given an opportunity to respond with alternative evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for major depressive disorder, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right ankle. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the depression was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The diagnosis of PTSD was established by a VA psychiatrist and the stressor events are consistent with the Veteran's documented service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The claims file must be reviewed, and an additional VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinea pedis, refractive error of the eyes, dislocated thumbs, depression/psychiatric disorder, asthma, and a back disorder are mixed. The evidence presented since final decisions is considered new and material in some cases but not others.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was granted. Service connection for sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sciatica, and Raynaud's syndrome were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's schizophrenia and/or depression are aggravated by his service-connected acne keloids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated at 50% since May 22, 2010. The initial evaluation for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a retrospective medical opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities rendered her unemployable from April 5, 2006 to December 31, 2007. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Veteran's dysthymia has been rated as 50 percent disabling from May 12, 1986 to November 2, 2001 and 70 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination. The examiner did not provide a diagnosis of PTSD and did not discuss the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective April 28, 2005. The Board also finds that the criteria for TDIU are met as of this date.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating for service-connected PTSD and major depression, and for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and major depression have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.