Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has ordered a remand to gather additional evidence and conduct another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed. The appeal is also granted as the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service, and to obtain VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, depression, and hypertension are not yet fully developed. The RO is directed to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these issues and afford the Veteran an opportunity to perfect her appeal by filing a Substantive Appeal.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted service connection for schizophrenia, chronic paranoid type. The Veteran's current diagnosis of a depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and organic mental condition with dementia is also supported by evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to a stressor that occurred during his active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted, effective from December 31, 1984.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, major depressive disorder secondary to PTSD, and adjustment disorder secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorders, low back disabilities, GERD, hernia repairs, prostatitis, myositis, and depression. Further development is required before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor was it the result of, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's pre-existing depressive disorder was found to have been aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar sprain with secondary myositis and degenerative disc disease L5-S1 is currently rated at 40 percent, but the claim for an increased rating remains pending. The Veteran has also been granted service connection for a depressive disorder that is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. However, the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to these combined conditions remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and conduct examinations related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability, left arm disability, and TDIU claim.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and her authorized representative, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including seeking records of mental health treatment during a specific time period and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and likely etiology of any current mental disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to assess her MDD severity. The TDIU issue also requires appropriate medical opinions regarding the effect of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to his service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS has been rated at 10 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected residuals of a cerebrovascular disability, and thus granted service connection for this condition.