Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a clarification of the VA examiner's opinions regarding his ability to work and the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran reported having various disabilities, including foot problems, sinus issues, back pain, head injuries, hand/elbow/arm pain, shoulder problems, psychiatric conditions, and a heart condition. The Board will review these claims in light of all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining his recent VA treatment records. The TDIU claim requires an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of November 17, 2006 for a TDIU rating has been dismissed as the benefit requested has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have resulted in significant impairment, leading to a disability evaluation of 70 percent prior to July 20, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective December 7, 2006. The evidence supports this rating as the condition has resulted in severe occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine if he has a psychiatric disorder, diabetes, hypertension, or heart disorder related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for total knee replacement with associated scars, and a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depression are not related to her service or any in-service stressors. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The case will be adjudicated again after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective November 15, 2002. The Veteran's claim was based on new evidence submitted in November 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA medical records, verifying stressors, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability evaluation for major depression with dysthymic disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at January 5, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's reported combat experiences in Southwest Asia Theatre of Operations are sufficient to establish a stressor. The diagnoses of PTSD and depression have been linked to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected major depressive disorder and right eye disability, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be readjudicated following this action.