Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for major depressive disorder is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination. The issues are whether service connection can be granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) and whether his service-connected disabilities have aggravated his nonservice-connected depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain private employment records and for a VA examination to determine if her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depression has been rated at 70 percent since February 8, 2007. The effective date for this rating is the earliest possible date of claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining a VA PTSD examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, depression, or bipolar disorder. The service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence linking them to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29, and his claims for higher ratings for right hip avascular necrosis and major depressive disorder were not granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder with missed anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, depressive disorder with anxiety, and bilateral ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, and shoulder disabilities due to undiagnosed illness or in-service exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder Anxiety, is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic and psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder, effective from December 31, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a psychiatric disability, including as secondary to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, are granted. The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed MDD with primary insomnia is related to her military service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.