Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder NOS, and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide an updated VA examination, and consider all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of recurrent major depressive disorder with anxiety features is denied as the earliest date of entitlement precedes the date of the reopened claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination to determine if the appellant has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a mental health examination by a licensed examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety and depression are etiologically related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were found to have their onset during active service, and he is currently assigned a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric disability claim was broadened to include PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and to provide the necessary medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected depression has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is due to his military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features is denied. The effective date cannot be prior to May 22, 2012 as the original claim was received on that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied and is still on appeal. The RO awarded service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder (previously diagnosed as bipolar disorder) effective in February 2011, resulting in a net award of $30,243 to the Veteran. The appellant was granted attorney/agent fees for past-due benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his Crohn's disease and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show any current symptoms of a psychiatric disorder that would warrant higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for earlier effective dates and service connection. The Board has determined that the issues are not properly before it due to a lack of an SOC in some cases, and requests for travel hearings have been made but not yet scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will review the claims based on additional evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and spinal disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic cluster headaches and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from a Richmond VA facility.