Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, did not have onset during service or due to an injury or disease in service. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for major depression and the assignment of a 40 percent disability rating for his service-connected lumbar strain is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for breast cancer status post mastectomy and depression with mental anguish secondary to mastectomy due to a lack of evidence showing additional disability related to these conditions as a result of carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault by VA medical personnel.

The Veteran does not have a disorder manifested by hives that is attributable to active military service. The Board finds no current diagnosis of a disability manifested by hives, or probative evidence of persistent or recurrent symptoms of such a disability following discharge from active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depression and memory loss is rated at 50 percent, effective March 7, 2007.,The Veteran's service-connected status post closed head injury with residual posttraumatic headaches is rated at 30 percent, also effective March 7, 2007.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder and chronic adjustment disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete duty status verification during her National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's major depressive disorder is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability involving hearing loss or other conditions in service or for years following service discharge. The hiatal hernia preexisted service and was aggravated by an inservice injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, finding that they are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 18, 2008, at the Florida Hospital-Deland in Deland, Florida, due to an emergency treatment related to her service-connected depression.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression/panic disorder. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is as likely as not associated with his documented in-service personal assault, and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and depressive disorder, to include a sleep disorder, are currently rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The Board finds that the regular schedular standards adequately account for the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The decision also noted that the Veteran had a history of alcohol abuse prior to service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding service records and VA medical records, to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and his active service or any related conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, which preexisted service and was aggravated by his military service, did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.