Depression decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his psychiatric disorder and coronary heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA disability records. A new VA examination will also be conducted.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran is given an opportunity to respond.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, with an emphasis on PTSD.

The Veteran's death appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and clarifying treatment at the Vet Center. The Board will also obtain a VA psychiatrist's opinion on whether his alcohol abuse was caused or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current personality disorder is a congenital or developmental defect and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim was not granted as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion to address service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by inflicted sharp wounds due to severe corporal trauma, but there is no evidence linking any psychiatric disability, including PTSD, to his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with particular focus on whether PTSD can be diagnosed and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of any causalities resulting from a motor vehicle accident in service. The issue will be reconsidered on both primary and secondary bases.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 23, 2010 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a prior claim to reopen before September 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since November 15, 2006. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, a 50 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder is granted effective from November 15, 2006.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his hearing loss prior to April 16, 2012, was not compensable. Since April 16, 2012, the Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders to her service, including any in-service events or treatment. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claims, including a review by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent rating effective March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA mental health examination and reviewing outstanding treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.