Depression decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD and disfiguring scar, as well as a TDIU. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD were not addressed due to lack of merit.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and seeking additional evidence. The claims of Section 1151 compensation and TDIU are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left wrist is related to a fracture injury in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychotic and affective disorders, is related to his military service. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder, began during service and continues to this day. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability. The claim of service connection for depressive disorder remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety and panic disorders has been manifested by total occupational and social impairment from the date of the grant of service connection of August 8, 2007. The Board finds that a 100 percent rating is warranted for this disability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and depression. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied in 2004 and not reopened. The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 30% since November 12, 2007, and increased to 50% as of December 6, 2011.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include anxiety, daily panic attacks, nightmares, auditory and visual hallucinations, flashbacks, social isolation, suicidal ideation, and attempted violence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination and to address the raised claim of service connection for alcohol abuse. The claims will be readjudicated in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and pain disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if any of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD at any time during the appeal period. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor leading to PTSD, and concluded that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a compensable disability rating for his post-operative fistula-in-ano, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial adjudication of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including mood disorders and depressive disorders. The Veteran should be informed in writing of the resulting decision and his associated appellate rights.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the review of additional evidence, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with his service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to in-service stressors involving personal assault and military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and review his claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder. The RO will also determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously-denied claim for PTSD.