Depression decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence showing a causal relationship between the psychiatric condition and active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with psychotic features was reopened and granted effective September 10, 1980.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective February 18, 2003, due to his service-connected disabilities. The rating assigned is 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability, and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence showing a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional development is required as requested in October 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive and anxiety disorders with associated alcohol dependence began during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence now submitted raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and did not have a neuropsychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the New Orleans RO. The issue remains whether he should be granted service connection for his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to depression, bipolar disorder, and atrial fibrillation. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected tension and migraine headaches or a personality disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his current acquired psychiatric disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, vertigo, and depression are all related to his service. The cervical spine disability is presumed to be caused by a whiplash injury sustained in service, while the vertigo and depression are linked to these disabilities.,A current head injury was not found.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow internal derangement and depression and anxiety, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as depression and PTSD, are related to his active duty service.