Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to July 5, 2006 due to significant symptoms including nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and memory loss. The Veteran had been unable to engage in substantial gainful employment from November 13, 2005 to July 4, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address his service-connected left varicocele and any claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a nervous disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and agoraphobia with panic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression, which he claims is related to his active military service. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disability and whether it is more likely than not caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased disability evaluation for a heart condition were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability, or any link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to missing medical records and a need for an examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, major depression, and anxiety.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and scheduling a VA examination for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that there was no verified stressor or fear of hostile military or terrorist activity to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran has not been diagnosed with depression during the pendency of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a comprehensive VA examination that considers all of his conditions and their combined effect on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development and review. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol and is considering the remaining issues, which are all secondary to pre-existing conditions. The Veteran's claims for increased rating of residual superior laryngeal nerve dysfunction, as well as her claims for gallstones, choledocholithiasis, type 2 Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, anxiety and depression, and constipation, remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 31, 2000. The claim for service connection for depression secondary to back pain was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Fort Snelling Mental Hygiene Clinic and providing a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features and depression, did not manifest during service or be related to any aspect of service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder more closely approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating, warranting a grant of service connection at this higher level. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.