Depression decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims file must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries sustained in a May 1974 automobile accident were incurred in the line of duty. The issues of service connection for residuals of fractures and psychiatric disability will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of stressors and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including mood disorders, anger control issues, adjustment disorder, depression, uneasiness in crowds, anxiety, and uncontrollable violence, remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2009 and at 50 percent since that date. The decision is mixed as it addresses both the initial rating claim and a subsequent increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current anxiety and depression are not caused by or related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of neurocirculatory asthenia/psychoneurosis with cardiac manifestations, hypertension, anxiety disorder, or depression. The Veteran's cardiovascular and psychiatric conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for depression resulting from VA treatment in December 1994 is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support that increased disability was caused by VA care and did not result from a fault on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and providing VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension, are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 23, 2004. The evidence shows significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. A VA examination is required to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted an initial 30 percent disability rating effective from February 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his right knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board found no valid diagnosis of PTSD based on the sole verified stressor and denied service connection for depression. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was determined to have preexisted service but not clearly and unmistakably aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disability, right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.