Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is as likely as not caused by his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees. The Board grants the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is due to disease or injury in service. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to his service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, mood disorder, cluster B personality, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as his claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened and he is awarded service connection. His right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and any SSA disability benefits information. The AOJ should also request updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA medical examination. The matter will be readjudicated following the completion of these actions.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing VA treatment records, verify in-service stressors, and provide a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD due to the grant of service connection for depression NOS. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains on appeal and a new examination is required.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a hernia or any residuals of a hernia, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The claim for depression was remanded as additional development is needed to determine if it is related to his service-connected nephrolithiasis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is now granted service connection for PTSD, which is secondary to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective June 15, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, as his cause of death was due to chronic edema/venous stasis and immobility from arthritis. The service-connected disabilities did not play a material role in causing his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to incomplete records, including those from VA facilities where the Veteran sought treatment. The Veteran's claims file should be returned to a psychologist for an addendum opinion considering new medical records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, was incurred during his period of active duty. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations in accordance with the DSM-5, as well as obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder and depression has been manifested by moderate symptoms including depression, sleep impairment with nightmares, social isolation, auditory and visual hallucinations, mildly impaired short-term memory, irritability, impaired concentration, panic attacks occurring more than once per week, and consistent GAF scores of 55. The criteria for an initial disability rating of 50 percent have been met prior to May 6, 2014; thereafter, the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during active military service, resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.