Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is a result of injury during her service. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a psychiatric injury or disease in service and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during his active duty. The claim for service connection for depression, dysthymic disorder (depression), anxiety, and mood disorder was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent since July 25, 2005. The symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back strain, and nose bleed disorder. The appellant's mental disorders are presumed to have pre-existed her ACDUTRA service and were not aggravated by it.

The Board denied an increased rating for cervical spine disability and did not find new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for depression and alcohol abuse.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of record to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors and for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with depression, and for any additional relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression is being remanded due to incomplete records and unverified stressors. The VA will attempt to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records, verify his claimed in-service stressors, and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is likely due to a physical assault he experienced during his active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, are related to her service, particularly her father's death during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss will also be addressed.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and his TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the complexity of his psychiatric, right knee, and tinnitus conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to determine if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability related to his service. The case will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Board will consider whether his claimed stressors are adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied. The Board finds that the effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis cannot be earlier than May 5, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent since May 12, 2010, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 16, 2004 for his service-connected depressive disorder. The appeal is about the effective date of this grant.