Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain in-service and pre-service mental health treatment records, as well as a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected eye disability and another VA examination to determine whether he has a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder caused by service or service-connected disorders. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for schizophrenia and a psychotic disorder, finding that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran's condition is presumed to be due to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder without agoraphobia, major depressive disorder, and dysthymia. The Veteran reported that his condition has worsened since the last VA examination in 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus has been granted, with an effective date of July 21, 2000. The Veteran also withdrew his application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the feet.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The decision is based on the merits of the claim without relying on any presumption or new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims of service connection for depression, a disability manifested by breathing difficulty to include sleep apnea, and residuals of a fractured nose are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher evaluation.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were made worse by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unspecified psychiatric condition was reopened, and the Board found that there is at least a reasonable possibility of establishing service connection for his current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia secondary to PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment with nightmares, mild memory loss, restricted affect, frequent panic attacks, passive suicidal thoughts and disturbances of mood or motivation. The criteria for a 50 percent rating have been met.

The Board has expanded the issue to include any acquired psychiatric disability due to Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. (2009). The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and other diagnosed mental health conditions.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support an independent finding of depression as a separate entity from PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the case can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression was granted. The issue of increased evaluation for his service-connected bronchial asthma remains pending.

The Veteran's current depressive and anxiety disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor are they secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.