Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and depression. The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded to verify stressors and obtain a medical opinion.

The Veteran's discharge from service was due to a service-connected disability (paranoid schizophrenia with major depression and anxiety disorder), meeting the criteria for basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, as her previous claims were denied based on insufficient evidence regarding a reported in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA Vocational Rehabilitation records and determining if he was awarded hazardous duty pay during his service in Saudi Arabia. A psychiatric examination will also be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion to reconcile conflicting opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and the claim to reopen a back disorder. The Veteran's depression and left hip arthralgia issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected major depressive disorder and whether she is unemployable due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including articulation disorder (hip), fatigue and low energy, hyperlipidemia, IBS, or diverticulitis. Therefore, his claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The underlying merits of these claims will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records, as the last evaluation was from over four years ago.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to service or any incident of service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a 50 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms of depression, sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, irritability, mild memory loss, disturbances of mood and motivation, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

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

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support her claims. The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a gynecological disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing at his local RO. The issues of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depression, and entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea are pending.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression was rated at 70 percent from August 1, 2007 to May 4, 2009. The rating was reduced to 30 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the reduction was proper as there is no evidence of actual improvement in the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression or an actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.