Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a mental health examination to determine if his psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder substantially or materially contributed to his death, and the Board finds that there is evidence to establish service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for service-connected lumbar spine disability and major depressive disorder have been granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, is as likely as not attributable to traumatic events during his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 50% since March 22, 2006 based on moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service assault. Service connection was also granted for residuals of a head injury and for treatment purposes only for a dental disorder affecting teeth other than 8 and 9.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is granted as her condition is at least in equipoise with service connection due to evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Veteran developed a psychiatric disorder with symptoms of anxiety, panic, depression and hypochondriasis during service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hepatitis C, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will provide appropriate examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, was granted due to his in-service exposure to combat-related stressors. The current diagnoses of PTSD were accepted as credible by VA medical professionals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 100% evaluation, effective September 21, 2007. Service connection for the chronic acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (which includes depression and dementia with depressed mood) is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and depression, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting reports of his in-service stressor and the reliability of his recollection. The VA will obtain additional medical records, schedule a psychiatric examination, and determine if he has any current acquired psychiatric disorders possibly related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, joint pain (attributed to arthritis/degenerative joint disease and bursitis), headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's exposure in the Republic of Vietnam is presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, namely PTSD and major depressive disorder, are the result of an in-service stressor. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and requesting clarification of a January 2010 VA opinion.