Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including personality disorder and mood disorder, are related to her military service. The right wrist condition is less likely than not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify his diagnosis and obtain an adequate etiological opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The examiner should consider the Veteran's statements about his military service contributing to his mental health issues.

The Board found new and material evidence has been received for the psychiatric disability claim, but denied it due to lack of a nexus. The hypertension secondary to service-connected condition claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted due to credible evidence of an in-service stressor and a medical opinion linking the current symptoms to that stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The current combined rating for the Veteran's service-connected conditions is 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's current mental health disabilities, specifically whether they are related to witnessing a soldier's death during basic training.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, finding that it had its onset in service. Service connection was denied for intellectual developmental disorder due to the Veteran's pre-existing condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at her scheduled Travel Board hearing. She is required to provide a new opportunity for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, right leg thrombosis and cellulitis, left leg thrombosis and cellulitis, PTSD, and Depressive Disorder NOS have been granted. The appeals are resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current depressive disorder and generalized anxiety are related to stressors and psychiatric trauma experienced during his active duty, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for recurrent major depressive disorder with psychotic features, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and PTSD, as well as irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded for new VA examinations to properly assess the Veteran's current level of disability due to his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, as well as his left ankle sprain. Additionally, all relevant VA treatment records from 1991 to present should be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to service or service-connected disabilities. The examiner should provide opinions regarding whether any preexisting psychiatric disorder existed and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his PTSD with depression, alcohol and drug abuse due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran also has a depressive disorder, NOS, but it is not shown to be related or attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus is being remanded as well, with the same reasoning as above.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) remains pending. The need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder has been identified.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from 1977, as well as a search for clinical records from Camp Casey, Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and a VA psychiatric medical opinion to assess the Veteran's PTSD and depression diagnoses.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression secondary to his service-connected spine disability. The Board has requested clarification from the VA examiner regarding her opinion and reasoning.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms of depression, anxiety, and irritability that result in reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined a 50% disability rating is warranted.