Depression decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and a depressive disorder with mixed anxiety features, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted it on the merits, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's depressive disorder began during his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and bilateral hearing loss were not causally related to his service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as further development of his claim.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his service, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected depressive disorder beginning on September 12, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from March 16, 2006 to March 4, 2013. He is also granted a TDIU prior to March 5, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining Social Security records, VA treatment records, and an addendum opinion from a medical professional. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sesamoid fracture to her left foot and for PTSD and depression, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a sesamoid fracture. The psychiatric disability claim was also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be considered in light of the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a TDIU claim and an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The case will be readjudicated after the necessary development.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and depression have been rated at 50 percent, but the current clinical signs and manifestations do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities did not have onset during his active duty service and are not otherwise related to such service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether his service-connected disabilities have aggravated any nonservice-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric and hepatitis C conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need to consider whether his more broadly characterized psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, may be causally associated with service. Additional records are needed from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regarding his work-related psychiatric treatment and evaluation, as well as verification of alleged in-service stressor events.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the appellant's service personnel records, VA treatment records since June 2010, and Social Security Administration disability benefits decision. A VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a sleep disorder) are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during his period of creditable active military service or otherwise related to such service.