Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, is rated at 50 percent. The Board has granted an increased rating for the psychiatric disability and has also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent since July 20, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include depression, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions on the nature of her psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, nervousness, fear, and anxiety, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address her claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder or left wrist disability related to his military service. The evidence shows no in-service injury, and post-service treatment records do not show any link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, were incurred in service as they are symptomatology associated with his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his service or a service-connected condition. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's depression and either his service or his service-connected chronic nummular eczema.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether clinically diagnosed depressive disorder is related to active service, specifically due to service-connected knee disabilities. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for depression is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and clarifying whether his unemployability is solely due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder NOS) will also be developed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a clarifying medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability to include infectious disease, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence submitted since the last final denial was found to be cumulative or redundant.