Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a link between any diagnosed condition and his active duty service or service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 5, 2012 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The current rating of 70 percent is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, fractures of the left tibia and knee, osteomyelitis, low back strain, right hip tendonitis, right sacroiliac region, and tonsillitis did not cause or materially contribute to his death. The Appellant contends that his depression due to combat duties, which is analogous to his service-connected PTSD, contributed to his death. However, the Board finds no clear indication of how this depression contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including verification of stressors related to his service on Midway Island and additional medical examination or opinion if appropriate. The claims will be adjudicated again in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for depression was granted, and he is now entitled to a 70 percent evaluation. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private mental health treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an extension of her delimiting date beyond August 26, 2010, for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence showing she was unable to attend school because of a circumstance beyond her control.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with depression, was found to be incurred in service due to a stressful event involving military sexual trauma. The Board granted the claim of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by a VA physician to assess his employability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to her service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and schizoaffective disorder, are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including syncope, depression, lumbar spine strain, left knee disability, and frequent falls. The issue of eligibility for specially adapted housing was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from Milwaukee and Nashville, arranging for a contemporaneous VA examination, and ensuring all medical examinations are adequate.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for left ear hearing loss, PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows a reasonable possibility that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psoriasis, depression, psoriatic arthritis, and scalp and face psoriasis, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depression has resulted in total occupational impairment throughout the entire appeal period, warranting an initial 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service. The Veteran contends that her acquired psychiatric disabilities are caused by an in-service sexual assault.