Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted, as his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service stressor involving a soldier attacking him with a knife. The Board found that the Veteran's lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of this claimed in-service stressor under the recent amendment to the governing regulation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to assess the impact of his service-connected depression and anxiety disorder on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional records and conduct further development, including a search for possible humanitarian awards related to the Veteran's service on board the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard during typhoons in October 1970.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.,Her headaches are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and determine the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as his initial claim for this condition was not received until May 31, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder due to a personal assault during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were continuously rated totally disabling for a period of less than ten years immediately preceding his death. The Board concludes that the requirements for entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 have not been met, and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 50 percent since December 24, 2008. The VA examiner found moderate severity of PTSD symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, claimed as psychosis with neurosis, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted, and the Board is remanding for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on his higher initial rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder requires additional development, including providing a VCAA notification letter, obtaining a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnosed underlying conditions for her claimed back pain, bilateral shoulder pain, and headaches. As such, she is denied service connection for these conditions.,For her adjustment disorder with depression, the Board notes that while there was in-service treatment for depression, no opinion could be provided regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the knees and spine, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not severe enough for a higher rating prior to December 29, 2010. After that date, the impairment did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is unclear regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. Further development is needed to substantiate the claimed stressors and determine if a diagnosis of PTSD can be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of credible evidence corroborating his claimed in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder remains pending and will be remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, an adjustment disorder, and depression, as well as status post peripheral vascular disease.