Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, allergic rhinitis, and gastritis are also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to her military service.

The Veteran was awarded a higher initial rating for his mood disorder and the criteria for an increased rating were not met for other conditions.,The Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to December 22, 2004, and thereafter. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities also did not meet the criteria for increased ratings as they are already at their maximum evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for cold injury residuals of the hands and feet was denied, but his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was not granted. The decision is considered mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed significantly to by a disability incurred in, aggravated by, or caused by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his active service, including whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis abuse resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The RO granted ratings of 30 percent prior to April 26, 2008, and 50 percent from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and a need to comply with notification requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression. The claims for low back disorder, sleep apnea, and unspecified pulmonary disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for depression should be remanded due to incomplete records and a need to obtain information from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his various disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's claims are being referred back for further development and examination.

The case is being remanded for the issuance of appropriate notice regarding a claim of clear and unmistakable error in the May 2006 rating decision, which granted service connection for major depressive disorder with psychosis. The earlier effective date claim will be deferred until this development is complete.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, dysthymia, and paranoid personality disorder. The Board has determined that the current VA examination is inadequate to address the etiology of these conditions and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and depressive disorder, which are found to be related to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe as to preclude all substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, was incurred in active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during his active service and is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Board determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his claimed stressors are not supported by credible evidence. Therefore, service connection for any psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is not related to his service and denied his claim.