Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, most recently diagnosed as Depressive Disorder, NOS, on a secondary basis to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder NOS did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating under DC 9434 at any time between January 21, 2008 and October 26, 2008. Therefore, an earlier effective date of October 27, 2008 is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examination and opinions regarding his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as clarification of his post-service employment history.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been established.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are related to her in-service sexual assault and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression, did not begin during military service and is not causally related to military service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The current psychiatric disabilities were determined to be due to non-service-related causes.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have any symptoms of a psychiatric disability during active service or since separation. The current diagnoses are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded to allow for further action and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his in-service stressors, which occurred during Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey. The Board finds that the criteria for establishing service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The decision also noted that the Veteran was scheduled for a Travel Board hearing but failed to appear.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition and his military service, including his periods of active duty. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least in part due to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which may be related to service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent from February 9, 2007 through April 1, 2012. From April 2, 2012, the rating remained at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder have been granted, with the diagnoses of PTSD being supported by revised criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3). The other conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.