Depression decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service due to willful misconduct. The claim for depression and anxiety disorder was denied as well.

The Board has ordered additional medical records and an opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA physician to determine if the Veteran has had any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities at any time since December 2010, and whether such disabilities are attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner will also assess whether any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to active military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is service-connected as it was related to pre-service stressors. The condition did not worsen during service.,Rheumatoid arthritis is not service connected as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive and dysthymic disorders is rated at 70 percent effective from March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are linked to his service-connected disabilities of the lower extremities, specifically his bilateral knee disabilities. As such, the Board has granted service connection for a persistent depressive disorder and a somatic symptom disorder.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence to support his claimed stressors. The cervical spine disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder NOS, and bipolar II disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and there is insufficient evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed depression disorder is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of a current right knee or left knee disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted a rating of 40 percent for her right shoulder disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing scheduled on August 20, 2014. She must be provided another opportunity for such a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct, not insanity. As a result, his other than honorable discharge remains a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is still under review.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression, as new evidence supports a current diagnosis. The claims for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and Parkinson's disease are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but effective dates earlier than the assigned dates are determined to be appropriate.,For headaches and gastrointestinal disability, service connection was established on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, was granted. His appeal for a higher evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety NOS, is granted. The issue of service connection for a dental disorder for VA outpatient dental treatment purposes has been referred to the AOJ.