Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder has been found to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of a SOC regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for a left foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for her vertigo, loss of libido, ankle disability, and psychiatric disabilities. The issues related to service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as his symptoms began immediately after the in-service assault and have persisted since.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The diagnoses of major depressive disorder and paranoid personality disorder are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file, specifically obtaining treatment records from the Des Moines Vet Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder not otherwise specified, is not related to service or an incident of service origin. The preponderance of evidence shows no nexus between the current condition and either in-service disease or injury or a service-connected disability.

The Board found no valid diagnosed psychiatric disorder in the Veteran's case and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2000 rating decision denying service connection for depression. The Veteran's claims for reopening of previously denied claims for right shoulder, right elbow, and left knee disabilities have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive and anxiety disorders are related to his military service, including his Vietnam service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking benefits for her son W.C., who has been diagnosed with PTSD and Depressive Disorder NOS. The Board has determined that the eligibility requirements for helpless child status are unclear, as it is not clear whether W.C. was a member of the Veteran's household at the time he turned 18 years old. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding his incapacity to self-support prior to age 18.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lung disability, and multiple-joint arthritis have been denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorder and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification of withdrawal from the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorders are not presumed to have been incurred in service. The preponderance of evidence fails to establish a relationship between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure, but the service-connected seizure disorder did not contribute to his death.