Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has ordered a remand to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if his diagnosed delusional disorder is related to service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50% since May 31, 2005. The earlier effective date claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD) claim remains pending as the nature of the stressor or stressors has not been determined.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain SSA records and to schedule a VA examination for psychiatric, eating disorder, and sleeping disorder diagnoses. The issues are whether these conditions are related to service-connected duodenal ulcer or if they are secondary to it.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and a psychiatric disability (depression) as they are not related to service or a service-connected condition.,No initial ratings have been assigned for headaches, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, or radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining in-service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and skin disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining VA and private medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for anxiety reaction and major depression, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The issue of whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a sleep disorder, joint pain involving the knees and wrists, fatigue, headaches, neuropsychological symptoms, and PTSD. The evidence received since September 2002 does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depression or dysthymia, is related to service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining recent VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case was remanded multiple times due to incomplete records and verification of stressors.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and major depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective June 9, 2008.

The Board has determined that a depressive disorder had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused or aggravated his alcoholism, which in turn contributed to his pancreatitis and esophageal cancer, leading to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension was denied because he did not have active service during a period of war, specifically the Vietnam conflict.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as secondary to his service-connected low back and neck disabilities. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service or service-connected conditions.