Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is etiologically related to in-service symptomatology and finds that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition is due to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD and depression. The Board finds that additional development is needed, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to receipt of individual unemployability benefits effective February 24, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service personnel records, provide a new opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder and insomnia, and readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran's periods of active duty in the Army National Guard are being verified, along with any National Guard service treatment records.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, as well as sinusitis with polyps. Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is service connected. Service connection for a left elbow disorder is granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability. Service connection for gastritis is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hip bursitis, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, and alcoholic pancreatitis are all denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's major depression is found to have started during her active duty service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made on the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the rating issues related to depressive disorder and eye disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and residuals of lung cancer have rendered him unemployable, but the VA examiners' opinions did not adequately address his overall functional impairment caused by these disabilities. Additional development is needed to provide an addendum opinion regarding the cumulative effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and headaches have been reopened, with the latter being granted as they are related to in-service depression. The Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating is warranted for the entire period under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a TDIU. The appellant is also entitled to a rating of 70 percent for the psychiatric disability, but not SMC due to his ability to maintain some personal hygiene and relationships.