Depression decisions — 2010

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression, claiming it is related to his right knee injury in service. The Board has determined that further development of the record is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's death was ruled a suicide, but the Board found that he was mentally unsound at the time of his death. The appellant contends for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and lung problems due to asbestos exposure, but these claims were denied as the act of suicide is considered evidence of mental unsoundness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety and depression are related to his service, as evidenced by his history of drug abuse and mental health issues during service. The appeal is granted.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder, and whether it is related to his service-connected herpes simplex.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address whether his anxiety and depression are related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for his gastroesophageal reflux disease and psychiatric disorder including major depression with panic disorder and agoraphobia is denied. The current evaluations assigned do not accurately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current mood disorder to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder is related to the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD related to service, as well as any other psychiatric disability that may be etiologically related to his service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to his Vietnam-era exposure. Service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for this diagnosis. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection. The claims for prostate cancer as secondary to prostatitis were also withdrawn, but the Veteran's assertions regarding potential VA negligence in failing to diagnose or treat prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that an increased rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issue on appeal is whether he is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, and his PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective June 4, 2003. The increased rating claim for PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder causes total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating. His right eye injury is rated at 10%, his right fibula fracture at 10%, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bipolar disorder, which he claims was caused by his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders present, including whether any pre-existing personality disorder was aggravated by service or if current acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dysthymic disorder and depression are related to his active service, including his knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in her competency status and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for Gilbert's syndrome, right knee strain, and schizoaffective disorder with major depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depression is related to his psychiatric complaints and manifestations during service, thus granting service connection for this disability.