Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors. The AOJ must attempt to obtain information from official sources regarding the claimed stressor events.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a video conference hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his traumatic brain injury with history of anxiety, depression, and grand mal seizures. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the rating increase claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of her PTSD, gastroenteritis, and TDIU claims. The case will be adjudicated again after these developments.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder is related to an in-service personal assault, and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder with history of insomnia are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, personality disorder, and PTSD, were not related to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory and psychiatric conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his active service and these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran. The acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as direct service connection, while tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to increased ratings for PTSD, major depression, cognitive impairment, TBI-related headaches, and alleged eye symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors and proper VCAA notice. The Veteran's address needs to be updated, and he must provide additional details about his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD with depression and panic disorder is September 23, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and social anxiety, is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection. The claims for sleep apnea, depression, and Meniere's syndrome are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and depression and adjustment disorder have been reopened, and he is granted a rating of 10 percent for mechanical low back pain. His right index finger fracture residuals are rated as compensable, and his foreign body in the left foot has also been rated as compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective May 4, 2011. His major depression is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective December 4, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post-operative status duodenal ulcer with pyelopathy, vagotomy and open sigmoid colectomy.