Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his active service. The initial rating for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degeneration remains remanded due to inadequate evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development to determine if he requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis from February 14, 2006 to May 5, 2009. The service-connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains open and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive and anxiety disorders are related to his period of active service, with a preponderance of evidence supporting this conclusion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's right knee ACL repair residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective June 18, 2008. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent were met due to frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 24, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records, personnel records, and SSA records. The VA examiner will assess whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders had their clinical onset during his active service or are related to an in-service disease, event, or injury.

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 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of his headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, is granted as his current psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS is not currently under consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by severe impairment in social and industrial functioning with deficiencies in most areas from May 31, 1991 to April 18, 2002. The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychoneurotic anxiety reaction and depression with psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Board has ordered that the Veteran's complete treatment records from the San Juan VA Medical Center be obtained, and medical records from the Social Security Administration should also be requested. The Veteran is to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of exposure to chemicals and respiratory disorder, claimed as asthma, sinus, shortness of breath, cough, including as due to herbicide and asbestos exposure. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events. A VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder found to be present.