Depression decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, were not caused by or related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is not attributable to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, manic depression and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the reported history of injuries and events during service. Additional development including obtaining missing records from NPRC and VA facilities is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or another psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's MDD has been found to more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for the entire increased rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and considering the evidence in light of all relevant laws and regulations.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing at the Providence, Rhode Island, Regional Office. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be considered after the hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression and panic disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is found to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's recurrent major depression was rated at 70 percent from October 16, 2003 to May 31, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability and there is no evidence linking his claimed conditions to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and review of service personnel records.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder is granted, and he is entitled to an increased rating for his right shoulder entrapment syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran has hypertension and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety are found to be a part of his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The VA examiners are asked to provide a rationale for their opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of such severity that they precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 29, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to October 29, 2002 for the grant of service connection for depression with anxiety is dismissed due to finality.

The Board has determined that the payment of $172.80 in attorney fees from past-due benefits is proper based on the award of service connection for various disabilities.