Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his service, including his combat experiences during World War II.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with obsessive compulsive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since November 17, 2011. The issue of increased rating for nephrolithiasis was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. The case is being remanded for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his in-service treatment for depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess any current headache disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after all evidence is considered.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and depression not otherwise specified, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks since May 26, 2010. Therefore, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected depressive disorder, including a review of his claims file and past clinical history. Additional treatment records will be obtained, and the Veteran will undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, thus denying service connection for PTSD and related disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional records from Social Security Administration and request an addendum opinion by the VA examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, hypertension, and aneurysm are not service-connected. The Board also noted that major depressive disorder is partially aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, psychiatric disorders, knee and hip disabilities, and asbestosis were denied. The Board found no verified stressor events related to service, no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions, and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.,There is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor events occurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. The left knee disability issue remains pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's account of his alleged in-service sexual assault and the need for a VA examination to determine if he likely experienced the assault as alleged, and whether any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during or was caused by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence supporting her claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is found to have been aggravated by active service.,Fibromyalgia was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for PTSD. As a result, the Veteran's claims for headaches, chest pain, and gastrointestinal disability secondary to his PTSD are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck pain and back pain is pending. The Board has also reopened her claim for a psychiatric condition, including adjustment disorder, but the merits of this issue are not yet addressed due to ongoing development needs.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete file and requests for additional development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.