Depression decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, as well as his claims for increased ratings for a left shoulder scar and arthritis of the left shoulder due to shrapnel wound with retained foreign body are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and a chronic disability manifested by hematuria, as well as initial ratings for depressive disorder/panic disorder and migraine headaches. The Board dismisses these appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2008 VA examination, which did not provide a diagnosis or etiological opinion for any psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD. The Veteran needs to be afforded another VA examination to determine his current diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression and PTSD) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current diagnosis or diagnoses of his claimed condition(s) and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation is being remanded due to the inextricability with his service connection claim for a depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for a depressive disorder as secondary to macular degeneration will be adjudicated first.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination to assess whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, bilateral knee, left ankle, and depression disabilities as they are not etiologically related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, specifically PTSD, and for increased ratings for major depressive disorder were denied. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, which is related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of a left hand scar, reopening of migraine headaches and PTSD service connection claims have all been denied. The acquired psychiatric disability claim has not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event and determine if it occurred. The Veteran contends he witnessed a fellow soldier accidentally kill himself, but there is no evidence of such an incident during his service at Camp Pendleton.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 50 percent, effective April 1, 2007. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder in service or during the separation examination. The Veteran's symptoms did not continue after service, and there is insufficient continuity to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by complaints of sleep disturbances, irritability, emotional detachment, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response. However, these symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment or significant deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, depressive disorder, and transient ischemic attacks as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches. The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ear tinnitus have been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent each. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from September 19, 2011. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.