Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying active duty periods. The VA examiners are requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service MST, which has been corroborated by credible supporting evidence. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The issues of higher initial disability rating for major depressive disorder and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability (COPD) is not service-connected due to a pre-existing condition, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD or depressive disorder) is service-connected based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA Social and Industrial Survey to determine the combined effect of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to perform sedentary type of work.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and the evidence does not support service connection for any of her claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 10% disability rating for scars of the forehead and chin was denied. The claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD with depression, were also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim regarding his character of service, but it is not clear whether his service from October 1972 through March 1974 was dishonorable for VA purposes. The decision on this issue remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, headaches, bilateral leg disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability for some of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The other secondary claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine if his current gastric condition or acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, consideration of additional evidence, and review of the social and industrial impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for pain disorder and service connection for depression were denied. The Veteran is already service connected for a pain disorder, which includes symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and history of alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The evidence does not support a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, was found to warrant a 70 percent rating since May 15, 2012. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher ratings and service connection claims. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening of her previously denied claims for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome or other intestinal condition, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder, hiatal hernia, acid reflux or other gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.