Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since February 22, 2008. The rating of 70 percent is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression with anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these other claims are addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD and mood disorder are found to be incurred in, or caused by, his military service due to a personal assault during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include depression with anxiety. The low back disability issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety, due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted due to the evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his depressive disorder, not otherwise specified with anxiety, has been withdrawn. His service-connected condition is now rated at 70 percent effective July 12, 2004.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires further development due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and an incomplete medical record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information about his claimed stressful experiences, and VA will attempt to verify these events. A psychiatric examination is also required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has any psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted in January 2008, effective from October 31, 2006. The grant of service connection is based on new evidence received after the original denial and a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, as well as providing a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also be addressed with a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the February 2010 mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of new evidence submitted by the appellant. The RO will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) that takes into account this additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected depression and neurodermatitis did not cause or contribute to his death from adult respiratory distress syndrome due to esophageal cancer.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his blood pressure readings do not support a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran's service-connected mental health disability warrants an increased rating.