Depression decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than dementia due to general medical conditions, and thus denied his service connection claim. The TDIU claim is remanded as there has been no compliance with the August 2015 remand instructions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse and depression, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for depressive disorder not otherwise specified as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The case must be remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of efforts to obtain relevant mental health records from Beaumont facility reported by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, stepchild recognition as helpless child of the Veteran, and nonservice-connected pension benefits have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while on active duty. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is found to be related to his active service and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. The diagnoses provided throughout the appeal period included PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and GAD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 16, 2005. The TDIU claim is granted as of the same date. SMC for statutory housebound benefits is granted beginning March 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left ear hearing loss disability was not found to warrant a compensable rating, while the head injury with chronic headaches claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA records and authorization of private records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a new psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence and findings from the new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current depression is etiologically related to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private medical records, including those from Dr. Jabbour and VAMC Durham.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected Parkinson's disease, which causes him to need assistance with daily personal needs such as preparing food, eating, bathing, hygiene, and medication management.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 27, 2010. The Board finds that the symptoms do not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.