Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of a claimed in-service incident involving the death of a fellow soldier. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional information is obtained.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability or hypothyroidism during service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied it due to lack of supporting evidence. The claim for depression remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder of depression is related to his service-connected conditions, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for multiple service-connected disabilities has now reached 100 percent, rendering moot his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a psychiatric examination and a digestive disorders examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for residuals of hemicolectomy and resected terminal ileum are pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability associated with service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at 10 percent, effective March 7, 1995. The right hip disability issue has been remanded.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records, and then to readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his overall functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation of PTSD with major depression has been denied. The issue of TDIU was not addressed in the statement of the case and is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected left fibula fracture and/or left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his service and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The issue of service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered, and the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from April 8, 2003 to September 14, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a link between his current symptoms and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and depression are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol abuse is also granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is not related to service. The hepatitis C infection was caused by intravenous drug abuse. Substance abuse is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C infection, or substance abuse cannot be established.

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