Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals is dismissed due to withdrawal. The service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on appeal and requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a seizure disorder require additional development due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a sleep disorder, finding that his reports of experiencing these conditions during and since service were not credible. The earliest evidence of record reflecting treatment for depression is approximately 29 years after discharge from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address his claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be readjudicated in accordance with the provisions of Clemons and the revisions in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) that came into effect July 13, 2010.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is at least as likely as not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to prevent her from engaging in and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records and examining the Veteran to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected Multiple Sclerosis and depression continues, with separate evaluations assigned for each condition.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability, and the Veteran's claims were denied as his claim was not substantiated by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence has been obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in handling of the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and other procedural issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection, a higher rating for her right shoulder disorder, and TDIU are being reviewed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for depression. The low back disability issue is being remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities, including depression and adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The Veteran's reported stressors do not meet criteria for PTSD as defined by DSM-IV.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current depression is aggravated by his service-connected erectile dysfunction and grants service connection for this condition.