Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder is being remanded to obtain outstanding VA medical records and to consider the combined effects of his other service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the case is being referred to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation based on the collective impact of all service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to service due to in-service harassment. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The issue of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 17 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording the Veteran a VA examination to assess his current severity of service-connected depression.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disabilities was denied by the RO in July 2009, and later affirmed by a December 2011 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 19, 2013 and a rating in excess of 50 percent since that date.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for depression. The issue of secondary service connection for substance abuse is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including his recent employment at a retail store. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records from the Omaha VAMC, provide the Veteran with another VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) and request additional information about his earned income since March 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, sleep disorder, anxiety attacks, schizophrenia, and depression, is related to his service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and considering his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since the March 22, 2010 effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and concluded that the MDD is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion from the July 2009 VA examiner. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his military service and service connection for this condition is granted. Service connection for PTSD is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying inservice stressors. The VA will also request Social Security Administration records and obtain VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's depression is not productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, so a higher rating than 50 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including dysthymia, depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol and cannabis dependence, are permanently worsened in severity beyond a normal progression by his service-connected migraine headaches. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service and denied all claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of records and the need for a Travel Board hearing.