Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the claimed in-service stressors were not credible and did not result in a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD but excluding recurrent major depressive disorder and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, as well as her claim for a cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current skin disorder related to his in-service rashes, as well as an enlarged prostate gland related to his in-service problems with urination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional medical evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for her psychiatric disability are pending.

The Board granted nonservice-connected pension benefits, effective September 30, 2008. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence in August 2005.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and residuals of a head injury. The claim for service connection for depression was also reopened. However, the Board did not reach a decision on whether these conditions are related to service due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and TDIU prior to October 1, 2001 were denied as she did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum to the May 2010 VA examination report and obtaining SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings of 30% and increased to 50% for depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on the criteria provided in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and has not established a service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's depression has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms including flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. The current rating of 50 percent is appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, eye disorder (claimed as eye sight), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The evidence did not establish a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of a service-connected condition causing or aggravating the disorders, nor did he experience any in-service stressors that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the underlying medical questions presented by this case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, pulmonary fibrosis due to asbestos exposure, hernia due to exploratory surgery (flexible sigmoidoscopy), and low back condition. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are found to have had their onset in service and continue since then. His mood disorder with depression is also granted, but at a reduced initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia, finding that his symptoms were incurred in active service and resolving any doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability was partially granted, with an increased rating to 70% effective August 24, 2010. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.