Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and recurrent major depressive disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since December 21, 2002.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression. The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The claims for a bilateral knee disorder and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence received during the appeal period, and because of concerns regarding the diagnosis and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability was granted, and the effective date is set at July 13, 1998, based on his initial submission of a claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, dysthymia, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the St. Petersburg, Florida, Regional Office.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the appellant's traumatic brain injury, which produces moderate sleep disturbances and memory loss. A separate 30 percent rating is also granted for residuals of TBI-depression.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder, not otherwise specified has been granted with a retroactive effective date of January 16, 2009. He is now seeking a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for an opinion on the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, is related to her service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, or depression. The new evidence received since January 2002 is sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran died from cardiopulmonary arrest and squamous cell carcinoma with metastatic disease. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits, but has not been provided proper VCAA notice regarding previously service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, primarily diagnosed as anxiety and depression, are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD with major depression was granted at a 30 percent evaluation effective December 13, 1994. The claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment, resulting in deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met.