Depression decisions — 2013

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder due to or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's claimed conditions are attributed to his personality disorder and post-service depression, which the VA examiner opined were not related to military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including as due to a service-connected left foot fracture, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran did not experience any in-service dental trauma or bone loss resulting in missing teeth for purposes of outpatient treatment.

The Board denied the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder claimed as depression, finding that no new and material evidence had been received to support her claim.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, schizophrenia, dysthymic disorder, and delusional disorder, to his service. The claim is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is not related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD have been rated at 50 percent, but the evidence shows that his disability warrants a higher rating. The Board has granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding no evidence to support these claims. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted as there is no clear evidence that any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the current medical evidence is insufficient to fully and fairly evaluate the Veteran's appeal as it is unclear if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the duty to assist the Veteran has not been fully met with regard to his claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and alcohol abuse. The appeal is remanded to attempt verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressful events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and mood disorder, are secondary to his service-connected pterygium. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, prior to February 28, 2007, did not render him unemployable due to his nonservice-connected leukemia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are incurred in active duty, with service connection being granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to December 5, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. Since December 5, 2011, his PTSD has met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has combined the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Recurrent Depressive Disorder into a single issue. The appeal is granted as the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal was partially withdrawn, and the remaining issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), tinnitus, and ear condition were remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and considering whether additional evidence is needed. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's major depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood. He is currently rated at 70 percent for his major depression.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected PTSD, finding that no factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred within one year prior to March 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VCAA notice regarding PTSD based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.