Depression decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, were caused or aggravated by his military service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected nerve damage, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date prior to July 11, 1991 for the award of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for major depression with psychotic features is dismissed as it does not raise a valid CUE claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety is characterized by mild symptoms that do not significantly impair his occupational or social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of an occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood prior to November 10, 2007.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS, are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues regarding service connection and reopening of a foot condition claim are currently unknown.

The Veteran is found to have a factual need for aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with daily living activities. As such, he is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressed Type, finding that the current psychiatric conditions are likely related to a mental illness initially manifested during active duty.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed. The mood disorder with depression was granted a 50% rating effective November 18, 2004. Service connection for hypertension and asthma were denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum to a VA examination report and possibly another examination if necessary. The issues on appeal are service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and a psychotic disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for major depressive disorder, which the Board finds requires additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression. The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected prostate cancer residuals, with some depression also due to a pre-existing condition (his son's suicide).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and has found new evidence that supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his service aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk during enemy attacks, including attacks by kamikaze pilots and racial attacks from fellow soldiers.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and a panic disorder with agoraphobia. The skin disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease and constipation), and psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, and depression).

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and an increased rating for the left clavicle disability. The Veteran's claims are now substantiated.