Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not appearing at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case is now pending for another hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate diagnoses of anxiety and depressive disorders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,A new VA examination may be warranted to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran currently has major depressive disorder which was incurred or aggravated during his second period of military service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran is found incompetent to manage his VA funds due to mental capacity issues related to brain trauma, anxiety, depression, dependency, and other conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety, depression, and behavioral disturbances. The Veteran was diagnosed with these conditions during his military service but they are not considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with dysthymia and personality disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 23, 2006. The disability was found to result in occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran does not have a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, or panic disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was not diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV criteria, and the Board finds that he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,His acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and an adjustment disorder with anxiety, including depression, is not related to service. The psychosis did not manifest itself within one year of service.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder pain is caused by a strain and his arthritis in either shoulder did not manifest itself within one year of service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been granted due to credible supporting evidence of an in-service assault.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the mandates of the October 2010 remand order and thus, the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and determine if new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is associated with his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 25, 2007 for depression, delusions, and paranoia were denied as the care was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay to be hazardous. A VA facility was feasibly available at the time.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be the result of an in-service stressor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder NOS, was incurred in service and is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service nor may service connection be presumed for psychosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, major depressive disorder associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and chip fracture left wrist prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a TDIU are met on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (to include anxiety and depression), were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.