Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the claim due to missing service treatment records and potential changes in regulations regarding PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his PTSD is related to military service, including fear of SCUD missile attacks during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA/privately held medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and private eye clinic records, as well as a VA examination for his depression claim. The case will be remanded for these actions.

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

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his active military service, while the claim for PTSD is denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are not addressed as they are currently in an unknown status.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since January 24, 2004. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's depression was caused by his service, including any disciplinary actions he faced.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no credible evidence linking the claimed right shoulder scar or respiratory disorder to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated treatment records, and further analysis of her service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, rated at 10 percent from December 11, 2005, to March 28, 2010, and increased to 50 percent thereafter, met the criteria for a 50 percent rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was previously rated at 50 percent, but is now rated at 70 percent due to increased severity of symptoms and impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing a pre-existing condition prior to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% rating effective December 3, 1997.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety disorder, vascular dementia, depression secondary to a stroke and dementia, psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, and alcohol abuse in full sustained remission, were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely as not that these conditions were incurred during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression is not etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and clarifying whether he wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder.