Depression decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and nonischemic cardiomyopathy, DJD of the left knee, or hypertension. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD in his VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new examination to assess his current employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, heart disorder, tinnitus, insomnia, sleep apnea, depression, and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder. Additionally, the Board has also granted compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for blepharospasm caused by VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder is related to an incident in service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a lack of VA examination and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed de novo after additional development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder results in significant social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the etiology of any mental disorders present, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression/alcoholism, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, another VA examination is required to determine if he meets the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on his alleged stressor event during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of secondary service connection claims. The case will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected depressive disorder is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depressive disorder, left and right knee disorders) render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board finds in favor of the claimant due to equipoise evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues currently before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, due to lack of in-service stressors and failure to establish a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and a need to obtain any outstanding records from the Montgomery, Alabama VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and nonservice-connected pension benefits are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development including obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressor events. The Board will also consider whether any current psychiatric disability may be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities include PTSD, depressive disorder, substance abuse history, dysthymic disorder with atypical features, and paranoid personality disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from January 8, 2003, to February 26, 2008. From February 27, 2008, the Veteran received a higher rating of 50 percent until October 22, 2008, when she was granted an increased rating of 70 percent and continues to receive this rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.