Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol and polysubstance abuse in full sustained remission since October 21, 2010. The issue of an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the true diagnoses of any currently manifested psychiatric disorder(s), including PTSD, and whether there is a link between the current symptomatology and the July 1981 stressor reported by the appellant. The examiner should also indicate if the diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to the events in July 1981 as reported by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the CID investigation and Social Security Administration, authenticating a DD Form 2910, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and requesting additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or anxiety disorder, and thus, his claim for service connection for these conditions is denied. However, he meets the threshold requirement for service connection for depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including mental health treatment records from service and a possible personal assault stressor. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder will be reviewed with additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders remains denied.

The Board found that a psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's current major depressive disorder is first documented after service and is unrelated to an injury or disease during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the Seattle Regional Office. The issues of entitlement to service connection for anxiety/depression, bilateral tinnitus, and an injury of the right foot and/or right knee are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and nervousness (anxiety), has been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's depression is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, and a new VA examination to determine if his current depression is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depression was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and asbestosis have all been denied. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors related to fear of hostile enemy activity, no verified exposure to herbicides or asbestos during service, and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and are related to his reported military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD was denied as the evidence did not establish a current disability and there was no link between his claimed in-service stressors and his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective May 12, 2009. The disability is characterized by reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and recurrent major depressive disorder, which are found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, were not related to his active military service. The Board also noted that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent since December 1999. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria.