Depression Board decisions

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his active service and have granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further appellate action after this development.

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to August 10, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's other acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis dependence are not secondary to or aggravated by his newly service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression warrants an effective date of September 17, 2011 for a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder was not caused by or incurred during qualifying military service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected low back disability, and thus service connection for depression on a secondary basis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to address the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's iatrogenic colon perforation and chronic bowel syndrome were caused by the VA colonoscopy, but his major depressive disorder was not. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an undeliverable notice of a scheduled Travel Board hearing, and the Veteran's attorney requested a delay in the hearing because he could not locate the Veteran. The case is now being returned for rescheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties to notify and assist, including obtaining SSA records and securing all relevant treatment records. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim will be remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service. His PTSD and major depressive disorder rating and TDIU claims will also be remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. However, it denied service connection for depression as there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being considered as it is intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from military service is a bar to VA benefits due to his guilty plea and conviction for willfully disobeying a lawful command of a superior officer, resulting in a bad conduct discharge. The appellant was not insane at the time of the offense.