Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with an effective date of August 26, 2006. The Board found that the evidence supported his unemployability due to service-connected disability as of August 2003.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as reconcile the findings with the Veteran's contentions and those of his treating physician. The Veteran must be scheduled for an in-person examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his PTSD with depressive disorder has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, dysthymic disorder, attention deficit disorder, and depression, will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's military sexual trauma actually occurred and whether he has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to that stressor. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims further. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine his current occupational and social impairment, as well as whether he is unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his thyroid disability with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for VA educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/10 GI Bill was denied due to lack of eligibility. The Buffalo RO did not consider a subsequent award of service connection for major depressive disorder by the Hartford RO, which could affect eligibility. The case is REMANDED for reconsideration and compliance with all regulations pertaining to VA's duty to notify and assist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a new examination and obtaining all outstanding VA records. The goal is to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide his claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature of his psychiatric disorders and their relationship to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for tension headaches with depression, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and depression, to include PTSD, was denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that his disability picture does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a lower back disability or psychiatric disorders during service, and the medical evidence does not establish a link between any current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive disorder, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether his medications and service-connected disabilities have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective April 2007.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 24, 2012 and at 40 percent thereafter. His depression rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records, provide notice of the July 2010 revisions to the regulations pertaining to service connection for PTSD under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f), and schedule a VA examination.