Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is etiologically related to in-service stressor events, and therefore service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and gastrointestinal disability have been granted. The PTSD is due to combat stressors during service, while the gastrointestinal issues are linked to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA psychiatric examination in order to determine if his current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service or active anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ear disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing in-service stressors or chronic conditions that could be presumed due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for residuals of spinal meningitis was reopened, but denied as new evidence did not establish a diagnosis in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to his combat experiences in Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide him with a VA examination regarding his psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for major depressive disorder, reopening a claim for cervical spine disorder, and increased rating for lumbar spine disability are pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied as the items claimed did not qualify under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from a VA examiner or designee of the Undersecretary for Health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder not otherwise specified more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The case is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development and readjudication. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD, its etiology, and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since February 25, 2011.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disability or weight loss disability, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of personality disorder is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, and he does not have any other separate psychiatric disorder that is related to or had its onset during service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 2, 2013. The RO granted an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction on March 14, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with alcohol abuse is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder or mood disorder NOS, may be related to his in-service physical and sexual assault.