Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain service and post-service medical records, as well as an examination for the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, conducting examinations, and reviewing the medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression) is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic pain and acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, were not caused by VA care or treatment. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the record is incomplete and needs to be supplemented with private psychiatric records from Dr. SZK, and then the claim will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression are rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and securing the Veteran's complete service personnel records. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, dysthymia, depression, complicated bereavement), to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The heart disorder claim remains pending as it involves secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including an in-service B-52 aircraft fire incident. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal did not affect the finality of prior decisions.

The Veteran's depression and coronary artery disease have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent and 60 percent, respectively. The current effective dates are not provided as the claims were initially filed in 2010.

The Veteran's depression was granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective April 16, 2009. The issues of service connection for neuropathy and TDIU prior to January 3, 2013 were also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his service, specifically the death of his brother during active duty. The claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected PTSD for the period prior to November 19, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and service connection was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The claims for migraines, respiratory condition, psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder condition are pending further development.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records, a need for VA examination, and other necessary development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The current rating of 30 percent prior to July 6, 2015 and 70 percent thereafter remains in effect until further notice.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 5, 2004 to August 9, 2006.