Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is likely due to his service as a production recruiter. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for bronchial asthma, effective from October 22, 2010. The Veteran's cognitive impairment and acquired psychiatric disorders were found to be service-connected under the direct theory.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heel spurs of both feet, lower back pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected major depressive disorder and low back disability. The Board has ordered additional examinations, including for mental health and physical conditions, as well as a vocational assessment. The case will be returned to the Board after these evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain his service personnel records and VA/VAU treatment records, as well as for appropriate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disability, COPD, and lumbosacral spine disability.

The April 16, 2005 rating decisions denying service connection for depression and bilateral knee disorders are final as the Veteran did not express disagreement or submit new and material evidence within one year of notice.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms from April 23, 2009 to October 24, 2013. Since October 25, 2013, the Veteran's major depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression and adjustment disorder, but finds that there is no medical evidence linking his current conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's depression. The TDIU claim is also being developed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's PTSD. The issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depression and entitlement to TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim has also been raised as part of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, substance abuse, back disability, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, and chemical imbalance have all been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection based on direct service origin or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder, pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by it. The VA examiner found no evidence of aggravation during service or due to service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychological disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety, to include as secondary to head trauma. As such, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure a complete record is available before deciding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than depression, to include PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The Board has decided that the case should be remanded due to incomplete development and need for further examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective May 5, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a GAF score of 65 and moderate occupational and social impairment.