Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for hypertension and a TDIU. The Board has remanded the hypertension claim due to disagreement with its denial, while the TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for shin splints and a back disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for PTSD and/or adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to February 1, 2007. From February 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a rating of no more than 50 percent. After that period, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from March 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for PTSD and depression has been dismissed as the appellant expressed satisfaction with the January 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board hearing and the need to issue a statement of the case on two issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether claims for service connection for migraine headaches and hypertensive vascular disease are being raised, as well as scheduling a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran likely developed a psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Psychosis, during his service in Vietnam. The examiner concluded it was at least as likely as not that these conditions contributed to his death by drowning.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic fatigue, and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective November 25, 2008. The other issues have not been resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety due to a head injury in service was granted. His rating for dizziness and headaches (residuals of the head injury) was also granted at a 10% level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a social and industrial survey.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and major depression, finding that the new evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder and his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or depressive disorder. The evidence of record does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and personnel file information.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection has been denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is May 11, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further development if needed.

The Board has determined that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service records do not indicate treatment for a psychiatric condition during his active duty, but he alleges exposure to abuse prior to enlistment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA mental disorders examination to address whether service-connected bilateral hearing loss caused or aggravated his psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD.