Depression decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his depressive and anxiety symptoms are more likely related to his substance abuse rather than his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) has been rated at 70 percent since September 1, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for a 100 percent rating were not met during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected bronchial asthma. Additionally, he will be scheduled for a VA respiratory examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and instability prior to January 22, 2013 were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder and PTSD, claimed as psychosis with neurosis, due to incomplete development of records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination for his psychological conditions and hearing loss, and determine the appropriate service connection theory.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran experienced combat-related stressors during his deployment in Saudi Arabia and is presumed to have incurred PTSD as a result of these events.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 and service connection, as well as the assignment of an initial compensable rating for headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, with depression and binge eating disorder. The claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted service connection and rated at 30 percent, the lowest possible rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms included depression, anxiety, flattened affect, rushed speech, panic attacks often at night, significant impairment of short term memory, disturbances in motivation and mood, increasing irritability, sleep impairment, suicidal ideation without a plan, obsessional rituals, and emotional detachment. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 3, 2012.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence weighs against a relationship between the Veteran's active duty service and his current mental health diagnoses.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, resulting in a 30 percent rating from May 14, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and finds no evidence linking his current psychiatric disabilities to service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, and depression, are not related to service.,The criteria for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a seizure disorder due to medical care from April 23-25, 2006, are not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for depression and TDIU, as well as service connection for removal of teeth due to radiation and chemotherapy. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression and denied his claim for service connection for depression. The issue of an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with scoliosis and degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appealed claim and because the effective date for the grant of service connection for headaches is final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the acquired psychiatric disorders are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.