Depression decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and schizophrenia) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depression, which was related to his service-connected hepatitis C, is considered a contributory cause of death. The Board granted the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and PTSD, which she claims are related to her military service. The case is being remanded due to the need to verify her service in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War and to conduct a VA examination to determine if her current psychiatric disabilities are related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression did not originate in or was aggravated by his military service and denied both his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection for a stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records from 2009 to present. The Veteran is also advised of the need for secondary service-connection evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and determining whether he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol and substance abuse. This includes obtaining SSA records, developing medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing the Veteran with another opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records. The case will be reviewed by the RO after all necessary actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Panic Disorder, Depression, and Agoraphobia is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his in-service diagnosis of adjustment disorder, which occurred during service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder) is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and manic-depressive disorders, was incurred or aggravated during his military service. The claims file contains conflicting evidence regarding the preexistence of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and thus denied service connection for such condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including major depression, alcohol dependence, cannabis abuse, and a personality disorder, were not incurred in service or due to any incident of service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence but denied as there is no direct link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, finding that the Veteran's first episode of major depression occurred during his active duty service. The claim is reopened and granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the current severity of his psychiatric disabilities, lumbar strain, and dermatophytosis of both feet.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

For the period from August 25, 2006 to April 7, 2009, the Veteran's pain disorder (claimed as depression) resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For the period since April 8, 2009, his disability manifested by such symptoms warranted a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, sleep disturbances, headaches, hyperlipidemia/hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, and Epstein-Barr virus are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability due to service.