Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records from SSA and VA treatment facilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant a more severe disability evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a panic disorder. However, there are other psychiatric diagnoses of record including anxiety, depression, and dysthymic disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (other than Panic Disorder) remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The depression is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and sleep disturbance, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that they are not distinct from his service-connected PTSD and therefore cannot be separately service connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for her lumbar spine disability and depressive disorder, as well as to issue an SOC regarding the service connection claim. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with recurrent major depression was not manifested by more than occupational and social impairment prior to August 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to obtain private medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine, right leg, and depressive disorder claims will be reconsidered based on the expanded record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and MDD. The RO should also obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has ordered additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety contributed to or caused his death. The case is remanded for these opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), was not evident during service or until many years thereafter. The Board concluded that there is no evidence to support a finding that the MDD is related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected conditions, including deep venous thrombosis and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of depression, but denied it. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and eating disorder are pending as new evidence was submitted to reopen the depression claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be decided on its merits, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depression is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 10, 2008. The RO considered the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.310 and granted service connection for major depression on the basis that it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.