Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 26, 2008 for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative balance regarding whether the criteria for A&A were met as of April 11, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current mental disorders are not related to service, including his period of AWOL and the April 1979 treatment for depression and diagnosis of adjustment reaction to adult life.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his use of prescribed benzodiazepines for anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including his statements about witnessing traumatic events during service.

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 his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and she has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more disabling. As such, the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating for depressive disorder have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and determining the nature and etiology of any neck and back disorders. The specific issues on appeal include reopening service connection claims and seeking VA compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has not caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board dismissed all the moving party's claims of service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the low back, retinopathy, cirrhosis of the liver, cholecystitis, PTSD, and depression, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on April 25, 2012 are now covered by VA due to the emergency nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the right knee disability receiving a higher rating. Service connection was also established for hemorrhoids, liver disorder, and PTSD.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is service-connected, and she was granted a 50 percent disability rating for her major depressive disorder prior to May 19, 2008. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, and TMJ disorder. The appellant's current conditions are not shown to be related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is etiologically related to his service, including a motor vehicle accident in which he was involved and another soldier died. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a TDIU, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee bursitis, initial compensable rating prior to January 8, 2010, and in excess of 10 percent from January 8, 2010, for bilateral pes planus, and entitlement to a compensable initial rating for anemia. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is related to his service and granted service connection for it. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran's back disability to his service, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically delirium, depression, and mood disorder, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected back disability. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current diagnoses and his military service.