Depression decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right hip and knee disability, psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, and hemorrhoids. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for right hip and ankle disabilities, as well as other service-connected conditions, were denied. The Board found no current disability of the right or left ankles.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been submitted, reopening the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it was incurred during active military service. The respiratory disorder claim is remanded as additional development is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected panic disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 25, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no medical evidence to support a relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disability and military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder prior to October 2, 2008 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. Beginning October 2, 2008, his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and for diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision did not address the Veteran's claim regarding his depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but his claim for left hand Dupuytren's contracture is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining service personnel records and mental health or counseling records. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine whether she has PTSD related to a verified stressor(s) and any other currently present acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease, depressive disorder secondary to coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. Service connection was denied for a back disability, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder, and sexual dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective March 2009, based on symptoms of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The duodenal ulcer issue remains unresolved.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for chest pain (excluding CAD), epididymitis, and epididymal/scrotal cyst. The issues of service connection for hypertension, depression, coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal disability, and back disability are being decided on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for clarification and additional evidence regarding his diagnoses and potential stressors.

The Veteran was diagnosed with depression during active service and has experienced continuous symptoms since then. The Board finds that the Veteran's current depression is related to his service, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from the VAMC in Puerto Rico.