Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the case is not yet ready for appellate review due to incomplete records and needs further development. The appellant's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, will be remanded for additional evidentiary development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as secondary to her military service due to the occurrence of sexual assault during her time in the military.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any relevant SSA records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his psychiatric disorders and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted, as his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor involving a soldier attacking him with a knife. The Board found that the Veteran's lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of this claimed in-service stressor under the recent amendment to the governing regulation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to assess the impact of his service-connected depression and anxiety disorder on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional records and conduct further development, including a search for possible humanitarian awards related to the Veteran's service on board the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard during typhoons in October 1970.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.,Her headaches are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and determine the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as his initial claim for this condition was not received until May 31, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder due to a personal assault during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were continuously rated totally disabling for a period of less than ten years immediately preceding his death. The Board concludes that the requirements for entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 have not been met, and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent since December 24, 2008. The VA examiner found moderate severity of PTSD symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, claimed as psychosis with neurosis, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted, and the Board is remanding for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on his higher initial rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder requires additional development, including providing a VCAA notification letter, obtaining a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnosed underlying conditions for her claimed back pain, bilateral shoulder pain, and headaches. As such, she is denied service connection for these conditions.,For her adjustment disorder with depression, the Board notes that while there was in-service treatment for depression, no opinion could be provided regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the knees and spine, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.