Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to unclear diagnoses from the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C is dismissed as his appeal was not timely perfected.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate compensable rating for depression as secondary to hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying any in-service stressors related to PTSD. The Veteran's low back and right shoulder disorders are also being examined by VA clinicians.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period and his depressive disorder and anxiety are not etiologically or causally related to active service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction manifested in loss of erectile power prior to November 22, 2010, but deformity of the penis was not shown until November 22, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including clarification of separation code and reason for the Veteran's separation from service. The claim will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected major depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, sinusitis, stomach disorder (GERD), and fibromyalgia are all found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are also found to be service-connected as secondary to the fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, linked to military sexual trauma. The VA will need to obtain additional treatment records from the Tucson VA facility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, were incurred during his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for her acquired psychiatric disability, finding that she did not meet the criteria for an effective date earlier than November 30, 2006. The decision also found no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization to warrant an extraschedular TDIU prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, either dysthymic disorder or depression, clearly and unmistakably existed prior to military service and did not worsen during the brief period of active duty. PTSD was also denied as it is not demonstrated to have developed as a result of a verified stressor during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to clarify all current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected depression is being evaluated, along with other issues including TDIU.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is March 26, 2007, as this was the date of receipt of the Veteran's original claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not incurred in or related to service and could not be presumed due to a service-connected disability. The evidence did not support finding that her current depression is caused by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 11, 2009.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD and the issue of entitlement to TDIU have been withdrawn. The case is dismissed.