Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions like Major Depression and Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive Type, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression. The Board has determined that the claim is one for direct service connection and remands it for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by suicide, with his service-connected major depression being a significant contributing factor. The Board finds that the cause of death is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and an eating disorder, are related to service. The case is therefore REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, IBS, chronic headaches, depression, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression is as likely as not attributable to a traumatic event during her military service, in particular, a reported sexual assault, or as likely as not was caused or has been exacerbated by her service-connected Diabetes Mellitus.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right wrist disability. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining unit records and histories, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder present. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, vertigo with dizziness and nausea, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression or chronic psychosis). The evidence does not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a verified in-service stressor or a diagnosis of PTSD, and his post-service depression is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, and tinnitus, and determining if the Veteran is in receipt of SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's mental disorder is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the likelihood of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective August 2, 2002. The Board affirms this rating as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric and left upper extremity disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression and right hand disability do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.