Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain or any other service-connected disability, and thus service connection for a psychiatric disorder cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate notice regarding personal assault stressors and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Psychiatric Security Review Board and Connecticut Valley Hospital. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and dysthymia, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for deviated nasal septum, chronic depression, and hypertension. The GERD claim was granted with a 0 percent rating prior to May 26, 2010, and a 10 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to outdated medical records and an inadequate examination. Updated VA treatment records are needed, and a new VA examination is required to assess his disabilities and their impact on daily life.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and anxiety disorder. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are associated with his military service, and therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to determine if the Appellant is eligible for VA disability compensation based on her Reserve service, which had an other than honorable discharge. The appeal will be reconsidered after this determination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for major depression with an effective date of September 1, 2008. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 26, 2008. After review of his symptoms and evidence, the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the period prior to November 26, 2008.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches and denied his claim. The Board also noted that he had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, which was linked to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 60 percent, effective April 9, 2009. The skin disability remains noncompensably disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was found to be productive of total social and occupational impairment for the year prior to July 31, 2008. Effective from that date, a 100% disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and determining the appropriate disposition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows diagnoses of these conditions and credible testimony regarding in-service stressors. Service connection is granted based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder with psychosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disability and found that depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service or a service-related injury.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 of the United States Code, finding that he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his age at the time of the effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and as secondary to pain associated with the service-connected low back strain, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further development.