Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and a TDIU prior to May 31, 2012. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and provide additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before deciding the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral radiculopathy.,Regarding the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), the evidence does not support finding that it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and dysthymic disorder. The Board finds that a VA examination with medical nexus opinion is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his in-service stressors and pre-existing conditions. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and shortness of breath. The evidence did not establish direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The case is now being returned to the RO for scheduling another examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for schizophrenia and depression, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to internal inconsistencies in the psychiatric examination. The claim of service connection for PTSD is also remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his service. The claim will be readjudicated based on all psychiatric diagnoses found.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms, and considering his claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, to include as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as a major depressive disorder) pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by active service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran served with Bill Barker during his service in Vietnam and to investigate other stressors. The case is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to assess whether any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, began in or was caused by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 28, 2011. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and psychotic disorder (claimed as schizophrenia), finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and noting that his current mental health status is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, kidney stones, chronic pain syndrome (other than lumbago and chronic back pain), epididymitis, bilateral foot fungus, and depression and anxiety disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service connection claims for poor blood circulation and high blood pressure are denied. The Veteran's claim for depression is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and major depressive disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 27, 2011.