Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to in-service personal assault and sexual harassment stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for depression has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including an anxiety disorder and a major depressive disorder, is related to his active duty service. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression and insomnia are as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, but denied service connection for a coccyx injury with low back problems due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's laryngeal cancer residuals have been rated at 60 percent since October 1, 2010. The Board has also granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, cervical spine disorder, left eye disorder, and psychiatric disorder. However, there is no evidence of such conditions during service or that they are related to service.,VA examinations were not provided for the issues of tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive examination and review of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms including depression, chronic sleep impairment, impaired attention and concentration, and disturbances in motivation and mood. The initial rating of 50% was granted from June 5, 2009 to June 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the record, including obtaining STRs from the Veteran's most recent period of service and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder had onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and a lumbar spine disability has been granted. His son, S.M., is recognized as the helpless child of the Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to the age of 18.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, dysthymic disorder, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to audio malfunctions during her hearing, and she has requested a video conference with a Veterans Law Judge. The case will be returned to the Board for further action after the hearing.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no competent evidence showing a psychiatric disability related to service or his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records, conflicting opinions from VA examiners, and the need for further clarification of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability causally related to, or aggravated by, active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and because of his need to care for a sick mother. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder/incontinence condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than depression are being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and provide addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary actions are completed.