Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The examiner did not diagnose PTSD and found other diagnoses such as depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's major depression and obsessive compulsive disorder have been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a qualifying DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD and that his current diagnosed PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor. However, there is no evidence of alcohol or drug dependence disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder with psychosis and schizophrenia, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum to the VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent prior to March 2010 and 50 percent from March 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to address the etiology of any and all diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including alcohol dependence. The Veteran's service connection claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including recurrent depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder, are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, as well as any other psychiatric disorders. The VA examiner will also provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service events.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is as likely as not related to his active service and fear of hostile military activity. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these claims. The Board has not jurisdiction over these issues and they are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression and alcohol abuse; pancreatitis; and/or type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary as the current VA examination report is inadequate for adjudication purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection for asthma and hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and for issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently evaluated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The thoracic spine disability remains rated at 20 percent. Both conditions have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is established and service connection has been granted. Other conditions are also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to comply with VA's duty to assist in obtaining private treatment records from Moose Lake State Hospital.