Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's current diagnoses and their relation to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The diagnosis of PTSD was not established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain relevant records and provide an explanation of the examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor event.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that her migraines occur approximately three to four times per month and have not most nearly approximated very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim is being reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and denied service connection for ulcers. The claims of service connection for arthritis of the hands, knees, and back are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at various levels from September 25, 2001 to April 28, 2010. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression, finding that there is no evidence showing a nexus between an in-service event or disease and the current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder with anxiety, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition during the pendency of his appeal. The Board notes that he had mental health complaints in service but did not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability at separation or currently.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracic scoliosis is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic acquired back disability during his second period of active duty, which was found to be due to a congenital defect. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disability.

The Veteran's dysthymia, previously claimed as depression, is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 7, 2012, and 30 percent beginning from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a request for a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD are service-connected due to their in-service aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Veteran is also granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida on December 12, 2009 are now covered by VA as it meets all criteria for emergency treatment of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's back condition and depression are found to be secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, with the depression being granted service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II has been rated at 20 percent since November 20, 2008. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for ED, hemorrhoids, or hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a chronic headache disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.