Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete service personnel file and attempting to verify his claimed stressors. A VA examiner will also be consulted to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including GAD and MDD, did not pre-exist service or were aggravated by service. The Board also found that these conditions were not caused or permanently made worse by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, and the Board found no good cause was presented.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between his in-service experiences and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's thyroid disease was initially diagnosed within one year of his discharge from active service and is considered to be related to service. The psychiatric disorder, claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back disability, has not been conclusively linked to the service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric disorders due to additional development being needed, including obtaining relevant personnel records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability evaluation was increased to 70 percent effective from April 2011. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder, PTSD, and/or a psychosis has been denied. The Board notes that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy but does not have a diagnosis of PTSD or a psychosis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have rendered him unemployable effective September 21, 2009.

The Board found in favor of the Veteran, finding that her PTSD is related to her service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, sciatic nerve injury, right, remains at 20 percent, and right femur fracture is rated at 10 percent. The ratings are mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right shoulder disability, and left neck disability. The evidence did not show that these conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered to be due to in-service personal assault or combat experience.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are pending.

The Board has decided the claim for a higher rating for hearing loss. The remaining claims for service connection for hypertension and for higher ratings for PTSD require additional development before being decided on appeal, so these claims are remanded to the RO.

The Veteran claims service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which he contends is related to his military service. The VA examiner found that the current psychiatric disorders are not at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by service. However, further examination and development of records are needed to provide a fully informed opinion.

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depressive symptoms, is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The rating for lumbosacral fibrositis and arthritis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 9, 2011 was rated at 30 percent. From May 9, 2011 onwards, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to service, and for obtaining records of any in-service psychiatric consultations.