Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and MDD, has been considered in the grant of service connection for PTSD and MDD. Therefore, no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a stomach disorder due to asbestos exposure, ill-fitting dentures, and/or the service-connected right ankle disability was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or other psychiatric condition during service or at any time thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a statement of the case on his claim for service connection for depression, and to schedule him for a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be deferred pending resolution of the service connection issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a renal disability. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a right hip disability claim is pending.

The Board has referred the claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, a psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, and a bilateral leg disability back to the VA Regional Office in San Juan for further development. The case is now REMANDED due to confusion regarding which office should handle the claim.

The Veteran was diagnosed with depression during the appeal period, which is related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for depression has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophreniform disorder, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during active duty. Service connection is denied for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and his psychiatric disorders are less likely than not related to any incident in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been granted. His claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been deferred.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury, psychiatric disorder, eye disorder, headaches, and drug and alcohol abuse. The claims were previously denied in 1988 due to lack of evidence of residual disability from an in-service incident.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and a higher evaluation for his upper extremity neuropathies. He also seeks severance of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD).,The Board has determined that the issue of whether the severance of service connection for CAD was proper needs to be remanded due to additional development being required.,The Veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his depression and headaches, as well as TDIU. He also seeks an earlier effective date for his upper extremity neuropathies.,The Veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for his right and left upper extremity neuropathies. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, depression, and upper extremity neuropathies. Additional development is required for this issue as well.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C, but denied service connection for PTSD as it was unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (through his attorney) has withdrawn it.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to clarify whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, is related to his service-connected hepatitis C or due to non-service connected osteoarthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder preexisted service and was not aggravated thereby, thus rebutting the presumption of soundness at entry. The personality disorder is not considered a disease or injury for VA purposes. An anxiety disorder was also not incurred in or aggravated by service.