Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to September 1, 2010. The symptoms included impaired family relations and mood, severe depression, suicidal ideation, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his depressive disorder and his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Additionally, SSA records are to be obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, affective disorder, depression, and psychosis. The new evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and determine the appropriate rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of competency for direct receipt of VA compensation benefits will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development such as a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current depression is not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depression is proximately due to or a result of his service-connected urethral strictures, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, a psychiatric disability. The issue of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection and rating of various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, vision disability, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service in Southeast Asia. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not clearly establish a link between his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and his military service or service-connected PTSD, but further examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, psychosis, cognitive disorder, and dementia, is related to his service. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of Klippel-Feil syndrome with fusion at C6-7 and also denied the claim for service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a more contemporaneous VA examination of his PTSD and to consider the issue of TDIU. The current disability rating for PTSD with depression remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the PTSD receiving a 100% disability rating from September 30, 2004 through February 13, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, as there was no evidence linking his liver dysfunction and hepatic encephalopathy directly to his service or any related condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional VA examinations and the obtaining of relevant private treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current diagnosis of depression is not related to his military service, and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.