Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain unit records and morning reports for the Veteran's service in Vietnam, as well as a need for another VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disability is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the relaxation of stressor verification requirements during wartime.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is due to an in-service sexual assault during basic training.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) did not have its onset in or is otherwise attributable to service, and was neither caused nor aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and TDIU were all denied by the Board. The appeal is still in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified. The Veteran's other claims are being referred back to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, thus denying entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not result in total occupational and social impairment, thus the criteria for a rating greater than 70 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric and low back disability examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not become manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, and thus denied all of the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and private providers who have treated the Veteran's psychiatric disorder since December 2002. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuropsychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is aggravated by his service-connected vestibular neuropathy. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mental pain, and depression, is related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain any gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of the reopened claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim encompasses any psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder not otherwise specified, is related to service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's major depression is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, effective May 23, 2011. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder did not have its onset in service or within one year thereafter and has not been etiologically linked to his service, including an incident therein. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.