Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and whether it is possible to separate its effects from his nonservice-connected depressive disorder NOS. The claim will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was found to be less than the required 50% for an increased rating prior to April 18, 2011. From April 18, 2011 through February 9, 2012, the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives and an incomplete examination.

The Veteran's dysthymia resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to December 20, 2014. The TDIU claim was remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD under DSM-IV/DSM-5 and his current symptoms do not meet full criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and there is no evidence linking his symptoms to service. The claim for GERD was also denied as there is no clear relationship between the condition and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression, as well as his claim for PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence provided by a private psychiatrist in February 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and provide a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, will be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration. The current schedular criteria do not meet the requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claustrophobia has been rated at 50 percent since September 10, 2012.,However, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with recurrent major depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, leading to a 70 percent rating prior to August 15, 2012.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for neck injury and headaches have been granted, with a separate rating assigned for the TBI associated with her depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including an impulse control disorder. The claim of secondary drug addiction is remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine if the current condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, claimed as depression and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected prostatitis aggravated pre-existing depression and anxiety, leading to suicide.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and left knee disability are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are not otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, dysthymia, depression with psychosis, memory loss, cognitive impairment, fatigue, joint pain, skin disorder, and flu-like symptoms are all found to be related to service. The Veteran served in the Southwest Asian Theater of operations during the Gulf War.