Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered with a focus on whether his current psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected nasal fracture.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, and to determine its impact on his occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's cause of death, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, is not service-connected as it did not result from his military service. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions were not a contributory cause to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA examination to address the etiology of his prostate cancer and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and hypertension. The evidence is sufficient to establish that these conditions are related to service.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety) and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not caused by VA medical care and thus denied his claim for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 benefits.

The Board has determined that an effective date of March 29, 1993 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of February 27, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs and VA treatment records, as well as arranging for a foot disability examination and a psychiatric evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to delays caused by obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a new examination for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a depressive disorder (claimed as PTSD), is related to his combat service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold injury residuals of the fingers and toes, and major depression with generalized anxiety disorder are all likely due to service exposure. As a result, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, hearing loss, and left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for SMP has been reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence showing he requires aid and attendance. His combined disability rating is currently at 60 percent, qualifying him for this benefit.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety has been rated at 30 percent, effective July 13, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent since May 7, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety were denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss claim was denied as the Veteran does not have a ratable disability, while tinnitus is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent since May 31, 2007, reflecting significant impairment in work and social functioning.