Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied them on the merits.

The Veteran seeks special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected hepatitis C and depression. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a confirmed stressor related to service, and the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are not otherwise related to his military service. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or major depressive disorder incurred in service. The evidence did not support the claimed stressors and there was no medical opinion linking any diagnosed psychiatric condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were aggravated by active service. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA opinion on these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed PTSD is not related to his service, and he has other diagnosed psychiatric conditions. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining more specific details about the Veteran's claimed stressor event and attempting to corroborate it. The Veteran is also asked to provide any relevant treatment records from VA or private providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dental problems, a heart disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were based on direct service connection criteria.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or caused by service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and military records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression, claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's mental health condition and his service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that pes planus was not aggravated by service and that none of the other claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain unit history and misconduct reports from Parris Island.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD ratings was partially successful with a 70% evaluation being granted as of May 9, 2012. The claims for bilateral shoulder condition and residuals of left ankle injury (to include the left leg) were denied. Service connection for lower back condition was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a DRO hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD), and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including anal fissures, pancreatitis, and Cushing's syndrome, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities or active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.