Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran is diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders and may require a VA examination to determine if any are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder and back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and verification of his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the TDIU issue is remanded for readjudication.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD as not established. The Veteran's back disability claim was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support granting these claims based on secondary service connection. The rating for residuals of a left knee injury was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new psychiatric examination. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD warrants a 30 percent initial rating, and his MDD/PTSD warrant a 50 percent initial rating. The criteria for these ratings are met based on the severity of symptoms and impairment caused by the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for more contemporaneous medical evidence and a VA examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, as well as further development of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and need for further development, including scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and information from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD with IBS warrants a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal period, but no higher.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, but requires additional development to determine if his depression is related to active duty service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and depression, as well as TDIU, are part of this process.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and depression are found to be related to his service, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during active duty. The musculoskeletal disorder claim is being remanded for further examination.