Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined disability rating is less than 70% and he does not have one disability rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is related to his military service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disorder that is service-connected, and denied his claim for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain records of the Veteran's treatment at Walter Reed Army Hospital and Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, as well as psychiatric evaluations. The Veteran is also requested to provide adequate identification for Dr. Robert Lynn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, major depression, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, has been reopened. The evidence now supports a finding that the current psychiatric disorders are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim of TDIU is being remanded for further development, including a determination on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and another VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU. There is no evidence supporting her contention that her service-connected disabilities preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 22, 2005 to July 11, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with VCAA-compliant notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma (MST) he experienced during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypersomnia is a symptom of his service-connected major depressive disorder and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depression have been granted, with a current evaluation of 30 percent. The effective date remains December 7, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including acquired heart disease, COPD, neck disability, back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The reasons were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, with anxiety and adjustment reaction, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The case will also be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right elbow has been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting statements regarding his military duties.