Depression decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining mental health treatment records from the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether a current acquired psychiatric disorder, including parasomnia, is related to service. The Veteran's parasomnia was noted in VA treatment records and needs further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent for the period prior to October 20, 2011 and a rating of 50 percent beginning from October 20, 2011.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2000 rating decision is not new and material, and thus does not warrant reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU and has been reasonably shown not to be able to engage in substantial gainful employment due to his combination of service-connected disabilities, considered in conjunction with his education level and prior work experience.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment on and after January 25, 2008. Prior to that date, the disability was manifested by reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of suffering injuries related to an incident where he was blown across the flight deck from a jet engine blast.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the disability did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's statements regarding his exposure to hostile military activity during service are credible, and he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. As such, service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran to corroborate his reported inservice stressors. The evidence suggests that he may have a current psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service combat. The Veteran is now entitled to a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the circumstances of deaths aboard the USS Forrestal. A psychiatric examination is also required to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service or caused by service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, that was caused by his service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A).

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, with particular focus on whether they are related to service or service-connected conditions.