Depression decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, which is related to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the claims need further clarification regarding the Veteran's service dates and type of service. The claims are being remanded to obtain this information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and development of his claims, including an increased evaluation for his service-connected depression with anxiety features and a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is not causally or etiologically related to service and did not become manifest within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD or other service-connected psychiatric conditions and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD was denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The decision is mixed as some conditions were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and PTSD, is attributable to his service-connected spontaneous pneumothorax. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether this condition is secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including foot problems, back pain, hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted did not provide new and material information to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and verify a reported stressor.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD with secondary depression have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that the criteria for a rating greater than 50 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and depression. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is conceded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA mental disorders examination to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety alone makes him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service, and the current diagnoses are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C or any of the other claimed conditions due to military service. The Veteran's depression, fatigue, sinus abscess, tooth decay, and weight loss are not related to his active duty.