Depression decisions — 2011

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for her service-connected PTSD with secondary depression, currently rated at 50 percent. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the Veteran's claim should be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and assigned a 70 percent evaluation, effective April 28, 1995. The Veteran's claims of service connection for schizoid personality disorder, chronic anxiety, and depressive neurosis remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD based on personal assault and other conditions, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a continuity of symptomatology or in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression and psychosis is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA disability determination and medical records associated with it.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including service connection claims and a rating claim for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his already service-connected PTSD. His right hand and left elbow disabilities are both rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from his Army Reserve service and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits file. A VA psychiatric examination will also be conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD during service and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition, including depressive disorder, is not related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disorder are at least as likely as not attributable to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The criteria for direct service connection have been met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorders, is found to be incurred in service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has an eye disorder but was unable to obtain sufficient evidence regarding its etiology due to lack of VA examination records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed on the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and depression, including obtaining VA records since June 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized osteoarthritis affecting multiple joints and a psychiatric disorder, to include depression as secondary to a service-connected back disability was denied. The claim for allergic reactions due to medications prescribed by the VAMC was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30% disability rating, effective March 11, 2004. Service connection for depression was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TB and therefore, service connection for TB is denied. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his combat service and fear of hostile military activity, granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's allegations of an in-service stressor are not credible, and therefore service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder cannot be granted.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and dysthymia. The claim for a skin disorder is being remanded as additional records are needed.