Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are related to service or caused by the service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for burns to the hands, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder. The issues regarding back, right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder disorders, and left knee disorder were reconsidered but also denied on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine the likely etiology of a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and she is now entitled to a 50 percent rating for her migraine headaches. She also meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with Secondary Somatoform Disorder was denied. The issue regarding CUE in the September 1997 rating decision denying service connection for dysthymia (claimed as depression) was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide him with a psychiatric examination by a clinician specializing in mental health conditions, as well as an updated dermatology examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD and increased rating for recurrent dermatitis will be addressed.

The Veteran's current depression is attributable to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Fuchs' dystrophy and cataracts, sleep apnea, hypertension, migraines with hyperventilation and blackouts, psychiatric disorder (depression with anxiety symptoms), and keratoconus have been denied. The maximum rating of 30 percent has been assigned for migraines.

The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance for his service-connected disabilities, including right knee injury, chondromalacia of the left knee, and lumbar spine disability, was granted effective May 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as for further development of the claim. The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and adenocarcinoma of the prostate was denied. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from February 25, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are determined to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death and no one has sought substitution.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, a depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, is now moot.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service-connected disabilities or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and credibility findings, requiring an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, has been rated at 70 percent disabling since December 21, 2011, to April 21, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 70 percent effective October 1, 2012.