Depression decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression, finding that it is not due to chronic disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service and not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's major depression and dysthymia are found to be related to his active service, with a finding of continuous symptomatology since discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's depressive disorder and dysthymia are related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the VA office in San Juan.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically a depressive disorder. The new evidence received since the December 2004 denial supports reopening the claim and suggests that a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service-connected lumbosacral DDD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of fentanyl, venlafaxine, zolpidem (Ambien), and diphenhydramine. The medical opinions are in favor of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal regarding lumbosacral disc derangement. The claim for an increased rating for sciatic nerve involvement with sensory loss of the left second toe is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder with depression, including obtaining his personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is in receipt of compensation for disabilities as if service-connected, but no disability has been established in fact. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for VA vocational rehabilitation services.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic depression, but his other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and a need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a major depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder NOS, was incurred during active military service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder should be remanded due to incomplete stressor verification, potential applicability of amended regulations regarding PTSD claims, and need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of the added medical evidence.