Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran died of cardiac arrest due to gastrointestinal bleeding. The Board found that his service-connected conditions (major depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as depression, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition. The Veteran's claim could not be substantiated due to the lack of medical records showing any in-service or post-service diagnosis of depression.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and service connection for anxiety and depression secondary to his service-connected epilepsy has been denied due to the lack of competent, credible, and probative evidence showing a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the presence of PTSD, and determining whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety/panic disorder with agoraphobia, which is related to his reported in-service stressors of military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper notice in connection with a PTSD claim based on personal assault or harassment, scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Travel Board. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as her disabilities do not render her so helpless.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining opinions regarding potential service connection under certain circumstances.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The status of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains unknown due to insufficient information.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and depression, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of new medical evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis and PTSD, as these conditions are presumed to have been incurred in service due to their manifestation within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including laryngeal cancer, major depression, tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression. The decision on vertigo is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 21, 2004. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The claims for increase in depression and disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, and his claims of entitlement to a TDIU were also denied. The right hip disability claim has been previously denied.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's inguinal hernia, bilateral, postoperative with scar and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from October 20, 2006. The decision also addressed other issues of service connection but did not reach a final determination on them.