Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran is found to have a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, which is linked by competent medical evidence to the Veteran's active service. As such, the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD. The service connection was granted for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder based on their causal relationship to active duty service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's depression and dementia are not related to his active service, including PTSD. The Board found no medical evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently manifested psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed due to a disease associated with military service. The evidence did not show that his current condition had its onset during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment and personnel records, clarify his National Guard service status, provide notice regarding the requirements for reopening a secondary service connection claim, schedule VA examinations for his right knee, low back, and psychiatric disabilities, and determine whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is rated at 50 percent disabling. The RO has granted a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a skin condition, and remanded his claim of entitlement to service connection for DM, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that there is no link between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder and service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. However, it was determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed depressive disorder is not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability or active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, had its onset in active service. The claim will be reviewed de novo after the examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with Major Depression is a result of his fear of hostile military activity during service in Vietnam and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and any additional medical examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include bipolar disorder is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to address the credibility of his stressor accounts, assess whether he has PTSD based on a corroborated stressor event in service, determine if his psychiatric disabilities are related to service, and evaluate whether his ED is aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and manic depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma and service-connected, while her depression does not have a direct link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition. The case is also remanded for further consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current psychiatric disorder to his service, and concluded that the asthma and allergic rhinitis did not warrant higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive additional monthly compensation.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted the initial evaluation of PTSD with depression and denied service connection for a heart disability as secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, was not incurred during active service. The initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease remains denied, while the claim for service connection for hypersomnia is also denied.