Depression decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability (depression) and service, nor did it find any evidence linking his current hypertension to service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are related to her in-service sexual trauma, resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service. His mood disorder with major depressive and anxious features is determined to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The secondary service connection claims for chronic liver disease, hypothyroidism, anemia, and chronic fatigue with stress, depression, anxiety, and poor immune response are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for any other acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and psychotic depression, as the evidence does not show that these conditions began during active duty or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including mood disorder, depression, depressive disorder NOS, and major depressive disorder, are found to be due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and anxiety, is attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and clarifying SSA records.

The Veteran's representative requested a videoconference hearing in Johnson City, Tennessee due to the distance from Nashville. The Board has been made aware of available Videoconference hearings at the VA medical facility there and this case is REMANDED for scheduling such a hearing.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective September 18, 2007, as he met the schedular criteria for a combined rating of at least 70% due to his service-connected disabilities and became unemployable on that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an incomplete VA examination report and other issues.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to her service-connected urinary stress incontinence and rectocele. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her combined disability rating of at least 70%.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation. The claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the in-service stressors and the need for further development, including obtaining unit history records and verifying specific events. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered under the current version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain pertinent records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's personality disorder is a congenital defect and not subject to superimposed disease or injury in service. The preponderance of evidence does not support finding any psychiatric disorders, including dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and psychotic disorder, are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and adjudicative action due to insufficient competent medical evidence of record to make a decision on the claim for service connection for a stomach disorder, to include chronic diarrhea. A VA examination with medical nexus opinion is needed.