Depression decisions — 2012

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder during his military service and there is no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to his military service. The claim for nonservice-connected pension was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, sexual disorder, and PTSD; and chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, rash, stomach disability, and impotency are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, or for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis. His hearing loss was not related to military noise exposure, but his tinnitus is etiologically related to service. PTSD and chronic depression were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 6, 1991, but no earlier, for the assignment of a schedular rating of 100 percent for service-connected PTSD with depression has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to June 9, 2008 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathies, depression, and erectile dysfunction, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors did not involve fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and thus could not be verified. The Veteran was denied service connection for PTSD, as there is no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and corroboration of stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records from Waco Cardiology and determining whether his May 2003 lung problems occurred during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The underlying issue of service connection on the merits is addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment from December 10, 2007, to December 17, 2007. From December 18, 2007, to January 30, 2009, the disability was manifested by flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective social relationships.

The appellant seeks special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private facilities where she received treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records from Dr. Kulacki.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further clarification is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and insomnia, was aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities are related to service, including in-service noise exposure.