Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for aid and attendance, which meets the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to service, and there is insufficient evidence to corroborate an in-service incident of military sexual trauma (MST). As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD and depression due to MST is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran's current depression is found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities of left hand and forearm atrophy, right shoulder arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of all evidence received since the March 2013 SSOC.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left foot disorder other than skin disorder, and tinnitus. The evidence received since the final March 2004 RO decision supports these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is now granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The effective date remains pending further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an evaluation of 10 percent or higher for his hypertension. For the other claims, the evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at his current address. The claim of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depression following the use of VA-prescribed medication Chantix from approximately 2007 to 2008 is denied as there is no evidence that his depression was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claims were granted, with increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The initial ratings assigned are within the range of disability severity as determined by VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing at the Atlanta RO. The claims of increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder and type II diabetes mellitus remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's attorney withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and panic attacks.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder including personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's pre-existing personality disorder may have been aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records from 1980 to 2000 and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal will be considered again after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for VA medical examinations and further review of the evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.