Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of electrocution to include electrical shock/burn, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety), and initial rating for PTSD prior to June 1, 2014 were denied.,PTSD was rated based on its impact on the Veteran's occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining STRs and private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), a sleep disorder, and a sinus condition. However, no new or material evidence was submitted to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including personality disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, his left knee osteoarthritis at 10 percent, and his MDD from December 6, 2007 to November 15, 2011 at 50 percent. Beginning November 16, 2011, the Veteran's MDD is rated at 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, due to potential issues with obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring proper notice is provided.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The claim for fatigue is denied as it is considered a symptom of the other conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding all service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The other conditions were not granted.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder, NOS (claimed as depression with history of gastrointestinal reaction) and assigned a 50% disability rating effective February 16, 2013. The claim for service connection for psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction was reopened but not ultimately decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected scars disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted, but the initial rating assigned is 50 percent. The other issues are pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO via videoconference.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and vocational rehabilitation records. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, is not related to active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues related to his major depressive disorder: a request for an increased rating prior to April 9, 2012 and another for a higher rating from that date. The Board has not made a final decision on either issue.