Depression decisions — 2013

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for depression, as well as the issue of TDIU. Additional VA Vocational Rehabilitation and education records are needed, and the Veteran should be scheduled for an examination to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and clarifying the April 2010 VA examination report regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board finds no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, as well as clarification of whether his TDIU claim should be considered part of his initial rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other diagnosed conditions, results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. However, the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated at 50 percent effective March 13, 2012.,Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent from January 22, 2007 and increased to 30 percent on July 23, 2010.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for further development, including a VA examination and social industrial survey to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's preexisting allergic asthma was aggravated by service, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and a depressive disorder, which are linked to his active service in Vietnam. Therefore, the criteria for establishing service connection have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to her military service, granting service connection for these conditions. The issues of secondary service connection for headaches (to include as secondary to PTSD) and left knee disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The appellant's current psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further verification of in-service stressors and hostile contact, as well as a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective September 18, 2012. The Board finds that the disability alone does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further adjudication.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability in service or within one year post-service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders to his military service. The Board determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran has PTSD and Major Depression that were incurred in service, with a valid diagnosis related to an in-service stressor involving the death of a fellow sailor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his psychiatric disorder, right arm disorder, and post-operative residuals of left inguinal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), all claimed as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.