Depression decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, adjustment disorder, organic mood disorder, panic attacks and nervous breakdown, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's major depression is found to be related to his service-connected lumbar myositis with L2 and L3 vertebral bodies irregularities, minimal posterior concentric bulging discs L2-3 and L4-5, mild depression of L2-3 superior endplates towards the right, and mild degenerative changes. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lower back disability and depression, as well as his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability have been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's insomnia is not a separate condition but rather a symptom of his already service-connected depression.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and depression. The Board has ordered remand due to the need to obtain SSA records, service personnel records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with erectile dysfunction has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, flat affect, and the management of symptoms with medication.,At no period covered by this appeal has the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with erectile dysfunction alone caused occupational and social impairment that would warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety disorder, rule out agoraphobia, and a nervous condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder and depression, has been rated at 30 percent since the grant of service connection. The symptoms have included occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about specific stressors and seeking treatment records. A VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine the likely etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST. The evidence submitted since the prior denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The Board did not find evidence of PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current low back, right ankle, and psychiatric disorders. The case will be remanded for examinations and additional development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder NOS, and an anxiety disorder with psychosis, are attributable to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression have been service-connected, but the current disability rating for PTSD is only 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA audiology examination and an updated VCAA notice letter to inform the Veteran of the evidence necessary to substantiate his claims. The Veteran will be asked to provide any further information or evidence as may serve to support alleged stressors in service supportive of his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate alleged stressor events in service and determine if any psychiatric disability is related to such events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety (panic), are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran was exposed to combat in Iraq, which is sufficient evidence for service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b).

The Veteran seeks service connection for various psychiatric conditions, an ulcer, and hemorrhoids. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain Social Security Administration records, arrange for a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and found no evidence linking his acquired psychiatric disabilities to service. The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol dependence was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The claim for reopening of his headache claim was also denied.