Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Phoenix, Arizona due to the Veteran's relocation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depression and passive-aggressive behavior. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest available evaluation of 50 percent.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability or a neck disability during service, and the competent medical evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis. The VA examinations concluded that his symptoms do not align with the symptomatology required for a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding the Appellant's claims of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records related to personal assault. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, panic disorder and depression, requires additional development before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete record, including lack of stressor verification and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV, and thus could not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there has been a material change in his disability picture.

The Veteran's partial ankylosis of the right shoulder with postoperative arthritis was granted a rating greater than 20 percent. Service connection for his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder, is related to his service.

For the period prior to February 19, 2008, the impairment caused by the Veteran's PTSD symptoms with secondary major depression disorder more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for dementia with depression and left upper extremity hemiparesis associated with cerebrovascular disease is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for major depression was granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective August 11, 2009.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been productive of occupational and social impairment in most areas due to symptoms such as depression affecting the ability to function independently; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's disorders did not have onset during active service and are not etiologically related to his active service.