Depression decisions — 2013

The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, hepatitis C, residuals of a concussion, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and bipolar disorder) as there is no evidence demonstrating current diagnoses or showing a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his stressor events and a VA examination. The Veteran has reported multiple in-service stressors that may be related to his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder does not cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ulnar neuropathy, left knee lateral release with osteoarthritis, and right shoulder status post labral tear repair on or after December 9, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Albert.

The Veteran's mood disorder with psychotic features was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The case is REMANDED for obtaining SSA records and considering any new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining psychiatric records from Fort Bliss and UMC, as well as a VA examination to clarify the Veteran's current diagnoses and their relation to service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, alcoholism, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further clarification of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and finds that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to finality of prior rating decisions.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder has also been dismissed as it is not related to service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and updated VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, and back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her psychiatric disability was denied prior to May 2009, but she is now rated at the highest possible rating (100%) since that date due to total occupational and social impairment. Her TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, a right shoulder disability, residuals of hernia, bilateral eye disability (myopia or loss of vision), arthritis of the hands, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence submitted was found to be duplicative or cumulative.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasoning in a prior VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board found no evidence of a personal assault in service and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.