Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities were productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas (including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood) from October 17, 2005 to October 26, 2010. From October 27, 2010, the disabilities have continued to produce such impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion and additional evidence received since the last consideration of his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to procedural defects and need for additional evidence. The case will be readjudicated after all requested development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, did not have onset during service or is not related to his active duty. The back disability was also found not to be linked to service. Lastly, the skin condition other than pseudofolliculitis barbae was deemed unrelated to service.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), a back disability, and a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new opinion on whether any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to active service.

The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to November 16, 2004 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder. The Board finds no legal basis for such a request and denies the appeal.

The Board found that while there was credible evidence of a motor vehicle accident in service, the diagnosis of PTSD based on this stressor is not supported by the record. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and an intestinal motility disorder/IBS, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected gastritis and duodenitis with hiatal hernia, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of new regulations pertaining to PTSD and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all related to his military service. The claim for dental treatment is denied as there is no evidence of loss of teeth due to in-service trauma.

The Veteran died due to end stage chronic obstructive airway disease. The appellant claims that the Veteran's service-connected deep venous thrombosis and depressive disorder either caused or materially contributed to his death. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain post-December 2006 medical records, including from the Fargo VA Medical Center, Kris C. Anderson, M.D., MeritCare Clinic, Brian P. Livermore, M.D., Northern Medical Clinic, and any autopsy report.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from any acquired psychiatric disorders and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were terminated due to his income exceeding the maximum annual rate for a housebound Veteran with one dependent. The case is remanded to itemize and verify the claimed medical expenses.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance of another person is granted, as he meets the criteria for housebound status due to his age and multiple non-service connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to that disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional psychiatric evaluations and records, with the goal of determining if any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to service.