Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Board has ordered additional development including VA outpatient records and SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are linked to his service, including his experiences in a combat zone. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be incurred in active military service, and the Board grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder was productive of no more than occupational and social impairment during the period from May 1, 2005 to May 2, 2012.

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability other than posttraumatic stress disorder, and the Board finds that his diagnoses of major depressive disorder and depression, not otherwise specified, are less probative due to lack of rationale and inconsistency with other records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dental condition, which is associated with and aggravating her service-connected depression and anxiety disability, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected basal cell carcinoma and surgeries. The decision on this issue will determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric condition was aggravated during his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent disabling as of April 6, 2009. The effective dates for service connection and TDIU are also set to this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims. The Board also found no service connection for certain disabilities.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent prior to March 26, 2014. As of that date, the disability has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with major depressive disorder, based on credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the link between current symptoms and that stressor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that his anxiety disorder with PTSD features is related to an in-service personal assault, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been diagnosed multiple times in clinical records but not by VA examiners. An addendum opinion is needed to reconcile these diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of service personnel records, particularly concerning the Veteran's alleged service in Vietnam and Laos. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and ensuring that all requested actions have been completed.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to a gastrointestinal disorder other than gastritis and duodenitis with hiatal hernia, and has also granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than gastritis and duodenitis with hiatal hernia. The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection, but determined that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing mental disorder. The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia and depression) are not etiologically related to his active duty or ACDUTRA service.