Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA mental health examination and attempting to verify in-service stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and tension headaches. Her disability ratings for cervical spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and tension headaches have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a deviated nasal septum, and various musculoskeletal disabilities (back, right wrist, left ankle, left shoulder, hips) as well as recurrent UTIs and a left heel spur. These conditions are presumed to have been incurred during the Veteran's service in the Gulf War theater of operations.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its November 2011 decision, including insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a spinal disorder, radiculopathy, heart condition, or Graves' disease during the appellant's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and did not relate these conditions to his meningitis. The Board determined that the current diagnoses were due to other causes.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition was less likely incurred in or caused by his military service, concluding it is more consistent with a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, ensure compliance with the duty to assist, and provide an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied as he did not have a diagnosed depressive disorder. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to a material change in his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and personnel records, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and records from the Social Security Administration. The examiner must provide opinions regarding whether his alcohol abuse was caused or aggravated by his service-connected duodenal ulcer with duodenitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including a cognitive disorder and depression, was not incurred or aggravated during active military service. The preponderance of evidence failed to establish a connection between his in-service exposure to toxic chemicals and his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied, but his service connection claim for MDD was granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious feature. The Veteran's claim was not decided on the merits of service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and personality disorder, are attributable to service. The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depressive disorder is service-connected.

The Board has determined that a supplemental opinion is necessary regarding the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and low back disability. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, secure missing service treatment records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders examination.