Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to incomplete research on his alleged stressors experienced in Saudi Arabia during Operation Southern Watch.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records, particularly from 2009 and 2010. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) and sleep disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, is rated at 50 percent since August 1, 2007. The rating for right ankle and foot degenerative arthritis, equinus contracture and Achilles tendonitis remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) have been granted as the evidence shows a diagnosis of these conditions related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depression, diabetes mellitus, type II (due to herbicide exposure), a heart disability, residuals of cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, and disequilibrium have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat or provide credible evidence corroborating his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination reports and outpatient records. The issues of increased ratings for depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and maxillary sinusitis are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and Social Security Administration decision documentation. A psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to determine the current severity of service-connected major depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis abuse is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, finding that her PTSD is not related to active duty and was secondary to military sexual trauma.

The Board found that there is no current psychiatric disorder, including depression, that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new psychiatric diagnoses and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent to manage her VA funds, reversing the RO's previous finding of incompetence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records, providing appropriate notice regarding sexual trauma during service, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported stressor is not related to combat and does not meet the criteria for service connection under the liberalized PTSD regulations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder. The issues of PTSD, anxiety, and depression are still pending as the claim is not about service connection at all.

The appellant is entitled to a higher initial evaluation of 20 percent for C6-7 radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and musculocutaneous neuropathy of the right upper extremity, prior to July 12, 2012.,The appellant is also entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.