Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the appellant's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service and alleged MST.

The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 70 percent since September 2, 2003. The Board found that the symptoms of his MDD have most nearly approximated the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to September 2, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his TDIU rating based on one service-connected disability qualifies him for a total rating without requiring additional service-connected disabilities to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder was granted. However, his claim for service connection for metastatic squamous cell cancer of the neck, throat, tongue, and shoulder muscles remains denied.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (aseptic meningitis with chronic headaches and major depressive disorder) does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and these conditions have not been shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence by his attorney, and he wishes for this evidence to be reviewed before further action.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence indicating a claim prior to April 30, 2007.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim seeking service connection for PTSD. The appeal is also remanded for additional development in connection with the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but he is now granted service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, NOS.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD is supported by credible evidence and a link to in-service stressors. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim (including MDD) will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, left wrist burn scar, digestive disorder, sleep disorder, and ED as secondary to hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, as new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded for a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that any current acquired psychiatric disability had its onset in service or was otherwise etiologically related thereto.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer have resulted in daytime voiding interval of three to four times per day, but renal dysfunction and urinary tract infections are not shown. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired chronic psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address the relationship between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms began in service and have continued since.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is currently rated at 30 percent effective April 23, 2008. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.