Depression decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than mood disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and stress), to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, and Depression, are found to be related to pre-service events. The service-connected anxiety disorder is also found to have aggravated the Veteran's chemical dependency. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder with depression is related to his service, including witnessing combat events in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any psychiatric disorders. His current depression and anxiety are attributed to his below-the-knee amputation due to combat injuries sustained during the Korean War.,His dementia of Alzheimer's Type is currently being treated, but there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder NOS and PTSD due to incomplete findings in the April 2011 VA examination report and February 2012 addendum. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA examination with a different examiner to determine the nature of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for reopening the service connection for idiopathic scoliosis and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression as secondary to idiopathic scoliosis are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is related to his active service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, currently rated as 50 percent disabling under the general rating formula for mental disorders, is found to have more nearly approximated reduced reliability and productivity. The combined rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, is not causally or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, depression, and agoraphobia was granted with an effective date of March 11, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as an opinion on the overall effects of his service-connected disability on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experiences in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His depression is also considered as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran will be scheduled for another VA examination to determine if he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disability and whether any such disability is related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain verification of a motor vehicle accident reported by the Veteran that occurred in February or March of 1968, as this may be related to his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to render him unemployable, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted and rated at 30 percent, but his disability rating was increased to 50 percent as of the date of claim. The Board found that prior to July 2012, the Veteran's symptoms warranted a 50 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. As of July 2012, he met criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 30, 2009. The current rating is appropriate given the limitation of motion to shoulder level.