Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions, verification of a claimed stressor, and consideration of prior diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa and major depressive disorder are service-connected, with the former being granted based on chronicity of symptoms consistent with hidradenitis. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a comprehensive VA mental disorders examination and opinion. The issues of service connection for PTSD and anxiety with depression are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are causally related to his service, including a verified stressor of experiencing a mortar attack in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion to distinguish between his service-connected depression and non-service connected syphilis, as well as to review VA examination records that did not consider the Veteran's entire medical history.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board found that there was no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of a right broken ankle, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss during active service. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD and major depression) is currently rated at 50% from September 7, 2004 to June 30, 2006. The appeal for hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% schedular evaluation since the date of his claim. As this represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal, no further discussion is necessary regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is currently rated at 70 percent since October 15, 2002. This rating reflects the significant impairment in social and occupational functioning due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, and major depressive disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for readjudication.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD with associated anxiety and major depression, as well as fibromyalgia. The claim seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for fibromyalgia is dismissed due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, finding that the Veteran's behavioral changes during service provide credible supporting evidence of his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, as his diagnoses were not related to an in-service event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or at any point after service. The current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his claims has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing these issues as they are no longer in contention.