Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address service connection claims for a low back disability and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's accounts of stressors in service will be verified, and medical opinions will be obtained regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The claims related to bronchial asthma and sleep apnea are still pending.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examiner's opinion on the mental health claim and determining if any visual disability is related to service-connected hydrocephalus with associated headaches.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw their appeal regarding right knee cap dislocation, right shin scarring, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification on the appellant's representative, additional information regarding last expenses paid by her, and adjudication of the Veteran's widow's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his active service and have granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further appellate action after this development.

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to August 10, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's other acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis dependence are not secondary to or aggravated by his newly service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression warrants an effective date of September 17, 2011 for a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder was not caused by or incurred during qualifying military service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected low back disability, and thus service connection for depression on a secondary basis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to address the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.