Depression decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for PTSD with depression, finding that the Veteran's diagnoses were not supported by verified stressors during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at the date of the decision. The claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or major depression, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are REMANDED.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have PTSD related to an in-service stressor and his current psychiatric disorders are not linked to service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment history and other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for mycosis fungoides, finding that the Veteran's skin disorder is likely due to his period of active service. The claim of service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted. His increased rating claim for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has also been granted with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety attacks, and memory loss, needs further development due to a recent amendment to VA's adjudication regulations governing service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 50 percent since the grant of service connection, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes schizophrenia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her so helpless that she requires regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. She also meets the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression and/or major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, granting his TDIU claim.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's depression and mood disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol and drug abuse, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted since the May 2005 denial is not new or material to reopen either claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause her to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by her limited mobility, inability to dress or bathe herself without assistance, and frequent need for adjustment of special prosthetic appliances. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.