Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, worker's compensation benefits and/or disability benefits from the Veteran's former employer, and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD with sleep disorder have been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression and anxiety. The Board finds that no such earlier effective date is warranted as the July 2006 rating decision denying service connection was final, and the August 2, 2007 submission constituted a new claim to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and stressor verification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, severe headaches, bilateral numbness in upper and lower extremities (hands and feet), acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, and skin cancer. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board denied increased evaluations for a depressive disorder and headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant ratings higher than 50 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The appeal is denied as the symptoms do not more nearly approximate a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder more closely approximates a 70 percent disability rating, warranting an initial evaluation higher than 50 percent for his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for any necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied as there is no evidence showing the disorder occurred in or was caused by service. The Board granted the appeal on reopening of her service-connected hysterical neurosis, finding that it manifested into bipolar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleepwalking and depression, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Sleepwalking is found to have begun during service, while depression is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleepwalking.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated as 30 percent disabling since December 22, 2005. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including requesting SSA records and service personnel records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and providing the Veteran with notice of his rights under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected low back disability. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder requires further development due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated VA compensation examination. The case is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.