Depression decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the appellant's paranoid schizophrenia manifests itself within the one year presumptive period after his military service, and thus grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

For the time period from July 7, 2004 to June 6, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder primarily manifested by impairment of sleep and mood with suicidal thoughts but did not significantly impact his work, family relations, judgment, speech, thought process, independent functioning, personal hygiene, impulse control, adaptability to stressful circumstances or ability to establish effective relationships.,Since June 7, 2005, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in deficiencies in work, judgment, thinking and mood that more closely approximated the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his claimed conditions were not related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder NOS, and a low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is not granted as there is no credible evidence linking the condition to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a low back disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain information about the appellant's claimed military sexual trauma and to determine if he was exposed to a stressor or stressors in service, which may be related to his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as anxiety and depression, based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to incomplete information and need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are related to his service in Afghanistan.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, namely depression, is the result of his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records, Social Security Administration records, and post-May 2010 VA treatment records. The hearing request remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred during service, and his skin disability is not related to service. The claim for a back condition and chronic diarrhea has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning. Service connection for pseudotumor cerebri and hypertension has also been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The appeal is based on a direct service connection theory.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including dysthymic disorder and depression, did not develop as a result of service. The preexisting condition was presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors and concluding that any current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.