Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be 'unknown' due to dementia, seizures, and depression. The VA found no service-connected disability that caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current depressive disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, was not aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD or depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, headache and respiratory disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current level of severity of his major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his current mental health conditions are related to service and whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of October 29, 2004, for the grant of service connection for depression. The RO had awarded a 50% rating for depression effective August 17, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) has also been found not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that it warrants a rating of at least 70 percent due to his symptoms including suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, mood swings, startling easily, nightmares, and hypervigilance.

The Veteran's current diagnosed PTSD, depressive disorder (NOS) / major depressive disorder, and hearing loss are all found to be related to his military service. Tinnitus is not considered a compensable disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate prior examination and need for further review of the Veteran's claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 60 percent for prostatitis effective February 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted. The case is also remanded to obtain updated treatment records and arrange an orthopedic examination to determine the nature of any low back disability and multiple joint pain manifestations.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of a VA psychologist's opinion regarding whether any currently present acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, specifically Vietnam service or other incidents of active duty.