Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders have not been related to service, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's surviving spouse has been granted an earlier effective date of February 7, 1985 for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's chronic migraine headaches are productive of very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks, resulting in severe economic inadaptability.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) was not manifest during service or otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 17, 2010. The Board has determined that adjudication of the pending service connection claim for Major Depressive Disorder must be deferred and readjudicated after action is taken with regard to this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and conducting a comprehensive psychiatric examination to determine if any currently or previously diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service. The Veteran's hypertension is also being evaluated, as well as his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability. The claims for increased ratings for flat feet, right thumb, and mandible disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. His diabetes mellitus with retinopathy is not service-connected.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, specifically depressive disorder. The VA found that there is no medical evidence linking his current depression to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder were denied as there is no probative evidence that the conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion, requiring a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate examination opinions and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depression has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The claim for a higher initial evaluation remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development of the Veteran's claim is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's depression was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 14, 2013 and increased to 30 percent as of that date. The effective dates for these ratings are January 15, 2009 (earlier effective date) and February 14, 2013 respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated VA examinations and the provision of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for residuals of a right ankle injury are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and depressive disorder are related to his active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Depressive Disorder), and chronic headaches were denied. The Board found no current diagnosed disabilities related to the Veteran's active service.