Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety reaction and depressive disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to his unestablished fact (a current diagnosis of major depression).

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for a TDIU and his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions, resulting in an award of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, result in a need for aid and attendance on a regular basis to protect the Veteran from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a major depressive disorder, had its onset during her period of service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to outstanding records and a need for an addendum opinion by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, post-concussive headaches, and PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, which is related to his in-service combat stressor. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for these diagnoses.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression and mood disorder, is granted as these conditions are found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for ischemic stroke was denied as there were no current residuals or diagnoses related to such incident.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressor events and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities will be evaluated to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition during service or within one year post-service. His claim for Depressive Disorder NOS was granted based on a VA examination report.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether this condition is causally related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with depression prior to November 6, 2009 and thereafter has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to November 6, 2009 has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD due to his combat experience in Vietnam. His symptoms include depression and adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues on appeal are related to his service-connected cystic acne and depression, as well as a claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, a respiratory disorder including asthma, and urethral pain. Service connection for hemorrhoids is granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.