Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depressive disorder, is granted as the evidence of record supports a finding that her psychiatric condition is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected alopecia.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 24, 2006. The Board has also granted a TDIU for the period from February 18, 2012 to January 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to IBS is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 15, 2011. The Board finds that the current evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of her employment status. The Board will re-adjudicate the TDIU claim based on the new evidence.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically headaches and depression, contributed substantially and materially to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if a preexisting PTSD disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and whether it was permanently aggravated by service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for her acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there was no informal or formal claim, or written intent to file a claim for any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD prior to February 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, substance abuse disorders, and depressive disorders is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his mental health history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with anxiety and depression, mild thoracolumbar strain, malaria, and scars, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain National Guard records from 1988. The Board will also seek additional medical opinions if necessary.

The Veteran is granted total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from September 29, 2014 forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to incomplete records and for a medical opinion on whether his finger disability aggravated his psychiatric disorder. The case is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The AOJ should also obtain updated VA treatment records from both the Decatur VAMC and Rome VA clinic.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The issue is now on remand to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, related to his military service.