Depression decisions — 2013

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

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected lumbosacral myositis, and the Board finds that he has PTSD due to a stressor from an in-service accident. The right leg lumbar radiculopathy is not shown to be caused or aggravated by the service-connected lumbosacral myositis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression was caused by his service-connected right wrist disability, and thus grants secondary service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues include initial ratings for hypertension, lumbar strain, and PTSD with major depression, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is related, at least in part, to his service-connected chronic laryngitis and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of its denial of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional development is required to ensure that the Veteran's entire medical history is considered and to provide an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for epilepsy, depression as secondary to epilepsy, and IBS as secondary to epilepsy.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with associated diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, dysthymic disorder, chronic mood instability, depression, and anxiety, is attributable to service. The cervical spine disorder, nasal fracture residuals, headache disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder are not attributable to service.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal for an increased rating for schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and Social Security Administration disability records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected left foot disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and expanded the claim to include major depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service combat experience.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression have been rated at a 50% disability level, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for depression NOS due to service-connected low back disability is granted, with a 10 percent rating effective from the date of claim (June 16, 2008).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for higher initial disability ratings have been denied.