Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected low back disabilities was denied. His current rating for bilateral sacroiliac strain remains at 40 percent, and he is seeking a higher initial rating for IVDS with osteoarthritic changes.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for PTSD and major depression with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. Service connection for residuals of an abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was also granted. The claims for service connection for left CTS and right CTS were denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and anxiety, is found to be proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression, low back disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, hip disability, muscle spasms, gout, sleep disorder, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability involving depression or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing clarification on the service connection theory.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to August 22, 2011. The TDIU claim was denied prior to May 20, 2011.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran did not exhibit an acquired psychiatric disability in service, psychosis was not manifested within one year of separation from service, and major depressive disorder is not etiologically related to any injury or disease during his active service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder disability due to a lack of credible evidence linking any current diagnoses to in-service events or stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of PTSD and his psychiatric symptoms are better explained by other diagnoses such as major depressive disorder and paranoid personality disorder. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a social and industrial survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service or any disability incurred therein, gastritis is presumed to be due to service, and the left shoulder disability has no evidence of being related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a left ankle disability, hearing loss, Meniere's syndrome, and a spine disability. The appeals are based on new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain pertinent treatment records. The Veteran should be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, including uterine fibroids with dysmenorrhea resulting in a total abdominal hysterectomy, depression, degenerative joint disease of the left foot, and vertigo.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The appeal is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active military service. The claim for alcohol dependence secondary to a service-connected disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD. The other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are rated under the same General Rating Formula as PTSD.