Depression decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for schizoid personality and/or schizophrenic reaction-paranoid, finding that new evidence was not material. The March 1997 rating decision is final.

The Board found that new evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection, but ultimately denied both the reopening and merits of his claims due to lack of credible stressor support and no current diagnoses related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a TDIU claim. The initial evaluation for depressive disorder remains before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, alcohol abuse in remission, and cognitive disorder, are etiologically related to his military service.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for the service-connected PTSD and found that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the appellant's in-service sexual assault is a credible stressor and resulting in her current diagnosis of PTSD. The decision also notes that major depressive disorder was diagnosed but not separately evaluated as it would result in no additional compensation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, right hand disability, sleep disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, and groin pain. The decision also addressed a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction resulting from treatment at VA facilities in December 2005.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service. The claim for depressive disorder remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and asbestosis were denied because there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition at any time during his appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression with mental breakdown, but denied his claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of a November 2009 VA examination report and an opinion regarding whether any psychiatric disability preexisted service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a personal assault stressor and consideration of all psychiatric diagnoses in accordance with Clemons.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disability, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or illness that would support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is a result of verified in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, which were previously denied in 2008. The claim is now reopened.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. The TBI issue will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine whether any psychiatric disability had its onset during active service or was aggravated by military service.