Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with depression and mood disorder during his active service but also claimed a diagnosis of PTSD related to witnessing a parachute jump accident in 1982. Further development is required to verify the Veteran's participation in Operation Gallant Eagle '82.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The evidence shows new and material information regarding his in-service personal assault which led to current diagnoses of PTSD and depression.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS has been primarily manifested by intrusive thoughts, insomnia, nightmares, depression, anger, irritability, hypervigilance, avoidance, isolation, anxiety, suspiciousness, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood. This symptomatology has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to newly received evidence confirming a diagnosis of PTSD. However, the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current seizure disability or right shoulder condition, and therefore, his claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation for major depressive disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent was not proper and denied the appeal.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for depression, stroke, and migraines were also denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, as no current diagnosis of PTSD was provided in the additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of compression fracture of T-7 was granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) secondary to service-connected compression fracture of T-7 was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities, but denied a claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema of the feet prior to January 17, 2013, and a rating of 10 percent thereafter was granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, was also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his service-connected lumbosacral strain and diabetes alternatively aggravate any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person; he is neither bedridden nor housebound.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, most recently diagnosed as bipolar disorder, had its onset during his active service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in various sedentary positions and is capable of engaging in less physically demanding work.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current depression to his active service, including a jeep accident and Article 15 offenses. The opinion was based on the Veteran's history of substance abuse and antisocial personality disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorders and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.