Depression decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, is attributable to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, is not related to his service-connected back disability and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for claustrophobia and a depressive disorder secondary to the service-connected claustrophobia. The Veteran's claustrophobia is found to have had its onset during active service, and his depressive disorder is found to be causally related to his claustrophobia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and major depressive disorder. The appeal was reopened on new evidence but the claims were ultimately denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and gastritis, finding that there was no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side for allergic rhinitis. The rating assigned for gastritis did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, pain disorder, depressive disorder, and cognitive impairment, has been rated at 70 percent since March 24, 2003. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective April 26, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or a depressive disorder that had its onset in service. The evidence did not support granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support a diagnosis of current and chronic PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder that is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not due to his military experiences. The low back disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, are related to her active duty service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which is presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the cause of death is service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are rated at 30 percent combined, effective July 25, 2008. The RO has not addressed the separate ratings for each condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and depressive disorder, is remanded due to the need for further evidence regarding a claimed stressor event in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by mild symptoms such as anxiety, occasional panic attacks, poor sleep, and flashbacks. His mood is anxious but his insight and judgment are good. The disability results in occupational and social impairment comparable to reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board finds that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are likely due to traumatic events during his military service, including racial tension and a drug overdose. The claim is granted.