Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with depression, duodenal ulcer, coronary atherosclerosis, scar from bypass surgery, diabetes mellitus type II with impotence, and associated peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's vocational rehabilitation training outside the United States was not necessary for him to qualify for, obtain, and retain suitable employment in his chosen field due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including another VA psychiatric examination and notification of secondary service connection requirements.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased ratings for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression are currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 1, 2004.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's depressive disorder is aggravated by her service-connected lupus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since May 1, 2006, due to total occupational and social impairment. The claim for TDIU is moot as the PTSD rating already grants a full disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are sufficiently established, and he is granted service connection for PTSD related to his reported Vietnam experiences. The Veteran's depression is also found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and review of all relevant VA treatment records. The issue will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there is insufficient medical evidence regarding WAC's condition at age 18.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and panic attacks, did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for drug and alcohol dependence, bilateral shoulder disorder, headache disorder, kidney disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, disturbances of motivation and mood), loss of smell, scars of the feet, and right eye disorder as they are not shown to have had their clinical onset during service or to be caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are due to stressors experienced during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a psychiatric disorder, including depression. The claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD due to MST and MDD secondary to PTSD, have been confirmed and are service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before the Board.