Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The examination should assess whether the Veteran meets the DSM-V criteria for these conditions and determine their relationship to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including searching for missing service treatment records and obtaining relevant medical records from non-federal agencies. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded two issues: the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions, need for additional records, and need for clarification regarding his PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder, previously claimed as a nerve condition. The issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (excluding PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation by erectile dysfunction. The issue of service connection for skin disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records related to the Veteran's depression.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied depressive disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to an effective date of January 6, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since October 13, 2009. The rating was increased from the previous 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, finding that both conditions are related to an in-service assault. The Veteran's claims for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including paranoid schizophrenia, neurosis, and depression, was denied. The evidence submitted did not show that a mental disorder began in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including whether it is related to service stressors or pre-existing conditions. The decision also notes that efforts should be made to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, cardiac disorder (status post myocardial infarction), and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression and anxiety, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has any current or past diagnoses of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examiner must also provide opinions on whether his conditions are related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia and PTSD as the Veteran's symptoms are already associated with his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded as there are questions regarding the nature and cause of his incapacity that have not been adequately addressed in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2004.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for nonservice-connected pension and cervical spine disability. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a mental disorder claimed as anxiety disorder, chronic adjustment disorder, depression and sleep disturbance. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of depressive disorder, and the claim is dismissed.