Depression decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current depression to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and a personality disorder. The case has been remanded to determine if the current psychiatric disabilities are due to aggravation of her personality disorder by superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including depression and PTSD, are related to her military service. The claim for migraine headaches secondary to a service-connected condition is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive and anxiety disorders are found to render him unemployable, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding these conditions. The Veteran's lay testimony was considered along with medical opinions.

The VA determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has PTSD caused by his military service, and this claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an SOC on the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and anxiety and depression were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

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

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 9434. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a verified stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and PTSD, finding that these conditions are related to inservice sexual trauma and racial violence. Service connection for discoid lupus erythematosus was not granted as the evidence did not establish a nexus with service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on the benefit of doubt, as his statements about in-service stressors were found credible and consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of depressive disorder.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hand injury is related to his service-connected disabilities, and grants service connection for residuals of a bilateral hand injury secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury and depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders were denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there was no credible evidence linking his current symptoms to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated, but the service connection for his depression is granted. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including depression and psychosis, are not related to his brief period of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) due to the negligence or lack of care by VA physicians who prescribed thyroid medication (methimazole). The case must be remanded for further examination and consideration.