Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the existence or etiology of his claimed conditions. The claim for a left knee disorder was not reopened, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) was reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck disability is not shown by the most probative evidence of record to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as the potential need for additional SSA records.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from military service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, specifically unauthorized absences, and thus constitutes a bar to VA compensation and pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were incredible and unverified, and there is no evidence of psychiatric complaints in service or for many years after separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, bipolar disorder and/or a depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for this condition is granted. The anxiety disorder other than PTSD is not considered a separate condition due to its association with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence obtained after certification of the appeal, and the Veteran did not waive RO consideration. The claims for service connection are being reconsidered.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression, which he claims is related to his military service. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depressive disorder and an opinion regarding whether he is precluded from obtaining and maintaining employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and his currently diagnosed depressive disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran experienced in-service stressors related to his service and determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to those stressors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee condition, diabetes, and major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal with respect to these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide examinations for her service-connected conditions, and adjudicate the claim for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and SSA disability determination records. The effective dates of his increased ratings for left temporomandibular joint and right shoulder disabilities may also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) will be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of depressive disorder NOS and cognitive disorder NOS are etiologically linked to his military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for depression or other acquired psychiatric disorder and sexual dysfunction, both found to be secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claims are now substantiated.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the current assessments do not adequately address the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to locate inpatient records from his service and obtain Social Security Administration records. The VA will conduct a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is causally related to service.