Depression decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's depression and possible posttraumatic stress disorder did not first manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, mood disorder, adjustment disorder, personality disorder and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, had its initial onset during his periods of active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not show the presence of PTSD and the preponderance of the competent evidence is against a finding that any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for borderline personality disorder with histrionic personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder with panic attack, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The evidence received since the January 1983 rating decision includes mental health treatment records from Griffiss Air Force Base that provide a link between the Veteran's service and her current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms such as substernal or arm/shoulder pain.,Prior to February 15, 2012, her service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus with situational depression was rated at 60 percent. The July 2012 decision granted a 100% rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression, which he claims is related to his hepatitis C. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the depression was caused by or aggravated by either hepatitis C or substance abuse.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric and gastrointestinal conditions are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was not shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of impairment greater than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a denial of increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression, was denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected disability. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the absence of a qualifying service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to April 13, 2007 for the award of a 30 percent rating for service-connected major depressive disorder. The RO has not obtained all relevant treatment records from Dr. Charles G. Bellville and needs to do so before making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and a sleep disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, dysthymia, and situational reactive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the Veteran for a BVA hearing. The appeal is now pending and will be addressed once the hearing is scheduled.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to his military service.