Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and obtaining any other necessary information. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety, is now pending.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have independent living needs and found that the requested items are desirable but not necessary for him to maintain maximum independence in daily living.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing as requested. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance between September 2007 and his death. The case is therefore REMANDED for such development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The evidence shows that the Veteran had a pre-existing vulnerability to depression but also experienced stressors during his deployment in Iraq which likely aggravated this condition. As such, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision concluded that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and that any depressive disorder is not due to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, had its onset during his period of service and is related to his military experience. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to include obtaining updated VA treatment records, corroborative evidence of alleged stressor events in service, and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and major depression is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and associated conditions was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or entitlement to benefits before March 14, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, has been characterized by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas consistent with the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating. The appeal is granted as the Veteran is entitled to an initial 50 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD, major depression, schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, polysubstance abuse, bipolar disorder, impulse control disorder, and pedophilia, were not caused by or aggravated by his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches before a decision was made.

The Board has decided some claims, including those for increased ratings for psoriasis and eczema of the elbows. Other claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive episodes and anxiety, is related to her military service. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right inguinal hernia must also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the nature of any service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service or not.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.