Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for psoriasis is granted, as the evidence is approximately balanced with negative evidence on this issue. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred psoriasis during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired chronic psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for major depression, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether his current hypertension disability is related to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to determine the severity of his major depression.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or any other psychiatric disability due to his military service and denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for multiple sclerosis and remanded his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including OCD and depressive disorder NOS, is related to his service. His hypertension is not shown to be directly related to his service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to MST, requires additional development and a remand. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depressive disorder and a back disability due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's file must be made available to the examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, manifested by depression and anxiety are being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of stressors and examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is associated with in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions alone are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and clarification of his representation. The issues of service connection for PTSD, depression, and COPD are still pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and bipolar disorder. However, it is unclear whether new evidence supports these claims as they were previously denied due to pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor, and the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if his service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that he cannot perform his occupation.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral keratoconus.,Service connection was denied for lichen simplex chronicus, pruritis, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as a result of in-service exposure. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, left great toe disability, and disabilities of the bilateral feet and toes were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's jaw locking and her active service.