Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as recurrent major depression, depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and mood disorder not otherwise specified, is at least as likely as not due to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, depression, is attributable to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to attempt to verify his reported in-service stressors and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for prostatectomy with residual incontinence was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a more current examination to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence shows that his condition more closely approximates a 70 percent rating due to near-continuous depression affecting his ability to function appropriately and effectively.

The Board has re-characterized the issue on appeal as one for service connection for any psychiatric disability. The RO denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, but did not address his claims for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is etiologically related to active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding records of treatment. The Veteran's seizure disorder secondary to service-connected conditions is at issue.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for acid reflux disease, to include as secondary to a service-connected low back syndrome with degenerative changes. The remaining issues will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to ambiguities and uncertainties relative to the claimed psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to traumatic events during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence linking depression or anxiety disorders to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from VA facilities, private medical providers, and SSA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and providing an expert opinion regarding his service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the appellant now suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The VA will conduct additional medical testing and verify any claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination to determine if hypertension is related to service-connected major depressive disorder.