Depression decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety and depressive disorders are related to his military service along the Korean DMZ, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of corroborated stressor and insufficient medical nexus.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for PTSD and concluded there was no direct service connection for psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to his military service. The Board also finds that he has other diagnosed psychiatric disorders (depression and schizophrenia) which are related to his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected macular degeneration and retinopathy, finding no credible evidence supporting this assertion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, but not total. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% for the period prior to April 30, 2009. The Board finds that with resolution of all reasonable doubt in his favor, the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD and major depressive disorder, including a VA examination to assess the current level of disability. Additionally, an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to these conditions must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for plantar warts, depression, and bipolar disorder have been remanded by the Board due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected traumatic brain injury, and denied his claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and migraines.

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression and multiple knee and back issues, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected chronic bronchitis from April 1, 2003. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that new evidence submitted since the September 2003 denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression with psychotic features, has been remanded due to the need for additional development. The examiner is requested to determine if the claimed personal assault actually occurred and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to such stressor.