Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to include generalized anxiety disorder with depression is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining morning reports and unit history.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for TDIU based on cardiovascular disabilities and depression, with a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for depression. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, employment information from former employers, and to address the issue of an earlier effective date.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant must also be provided with complete notice of the information and evidence needed to substantiate her claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and issues related to his claimed stressors. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of an inservice stressor and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's depression during service and his suicide, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the claimed psychiatric conditions to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.,There was also insufficient evidence provided by the VA medical examiner regarding the headaches. The Board found this inadequate and remanded the case.

The Veteran's depression with anxiety has been rated at 50 percent since March 3, 2005. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorders related to service. The issue of cerebral vascular accident (stroke) secondary to ischemic heart disease is also inextricably intertwined with the appeal.

The Veteran's major depression and PTSD are manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective September 6, 2006. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his major depressive disorder was denied by the Board, as the current rating adequately reflects the severity and symptoms associated with his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service department or other governmental records possibly corroborating the Veteran's account of her sexual assault during military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, is not established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as his claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for further development, including verification of his service period and additional medical examinations to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder or coronary artery disease that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and dysthymic disorder, secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence now shows a causal relationship between his depressive symptoms and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, sun (heat) stroke, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression were denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.