Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent. The VA examiner concluded that the combined effect of these conditions results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing. The TDIU claim will be considered further.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a validly diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left hip disorder, left leg condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression), and migraine headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was manifested during his period of active military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to reschedule a previously scheduled Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability aggravated his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical examination, and a new examination is needed to assess the nature, extent, and etiology of any psychiatric disorders from which the Veteran suffers. The examiner must also discuss whether it is at least as likely as not that any identified psychiatric disorders are related to the Veteran's service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is also being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted a separate 50 percent disability rating for posttraumatic neuropathic migraine headaches, and the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right foot fifth metatarsal fracture is also granted. The TDIU issue remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Board found that the preexisting left knee disability was not aggravated by service. Service connection is also granted for a right knee disability.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the previously denied claim for service connection for depression and has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension. The decision on the matter of service connection for congestive heart failure is pending.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for service connection for depression has been granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from March 7, 2011. The appellant is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include diagnoses of adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety. The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board found no in-service stressor corroborated by evidence, and the Veteran's personality disorder was not subject to superimposed disease or injury during service. The acquired psychiatric disorders were not causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and addressing the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.