Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and psychiatric evaluations to determine the likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's headaches are etiologically related to his service-connected depressive disorder, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an increased rating for depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD is granted. The claim for a right foot bone spur is denied. Service connection for other conditions, including knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as PFB, are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining statements from third parties and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders that may be present. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after all additional development is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his hospitalization at the Northampton VA medical center and providing him with VCAA notice related to a TDIU claim. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation for major depressive disorder with PTSD in excess of 50 percent from March 30, 2010 through November 29, 2010, from February 1, 2011 through October 31, 2011, and from December 1, 2011, and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and an increased rating for coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and dementia, are related to his service-connected COPD. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were found to be service-connected and not warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression with psychotic features, is found to be related to his service-connected back disability and thus granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied as the evidence did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran must be afforded a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and whether his diagnosed PTSD is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an incomplete examination and a need to address the Veteran's diagnosis of depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, and whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected cervical spine disability aggravated any identified psychiatric disability.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral foot disabilities and major depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the criteria in the rating schedule adequately described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to rate his service-connected depression. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also on appeal and must be considered in light of all the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to a military sexual assault in 1983.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeal is currently remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a local RO hearing regarding his claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and for a rating increase for tinea pedis.