Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depression NOS is found to be secondary to her service-connected post traumatic seizure disorder with headaches, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, but not by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO to arrange for a new hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her claimed PTSD and major depressive disorder are not related to in-service events or treatment, and the evidence does not support a finding of additional disability due to VA care.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder was diagnosed, but not PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that the evidence supports a direct link to service.

The Veteran's mental disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to her military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, dental issues, foot pain, cardiac arrest residuals, pneumonia-related pulmonary granuloma, psychiatric disorder, kidney stones, back injury, hemorrhoids, anal fistula, erectile dysfunction, skin disorders, and varicose veins have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and TDIU are dependent on these developments.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent, reflecting reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, and difficulty in establishing effective work relationships. The hearing loss disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression were not service-connected due to lack of verification of in-service stressors, and no other evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for either Major Depressive Disorder or IBS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety, was incurred in or aggravated by service. The presumption of soundness is not overcome.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from May 20, 1997 onwards and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 20, 1997. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was determined to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to obsessional rituals, depression, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for major depressive disorder, evaluated at 50 percent disabling from September 24, 2003, was denied. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but has remanded the issue of service connection for other psychiatric disorders due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's claim is pending further development.

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