Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. A new VA psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to reassess the severity of his major depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary prior to adjudicating the claims on the merits, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by symptoms such as avoidance of social interaction, disturbances in motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective social relationships. Total occupational and social impairment was not shown.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of major depression and a TDIU rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, Bell's palsy, and vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected otitis externa. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and depressive disorder is granted due to the credible presentation of a stressor related to wartime experiences, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms indicate serious symptoms, characterized by persistent suicidal ideation and isolation. The Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dissociative disorder with depression, is currently rated at 50 percent. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and panic disorder, is denied as there is no verified in-service stressor to support the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his duty status with the Michigan Army National Guard (ARNG) from December 1986 to October 1992, and to attempt to verify additional stressors for PTSD. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during a period of active duty or is related to his service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, and headaches (also claimed as dizziness, vertigo, and labyrinthitis). The termination of separate evaluations for arthritis of the right shoulder and torn rotator cuff was found to be improper.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The evidence shows that his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder. The evidence received since the November 2007 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate a claim for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, depression, cardiovascular disability, lung disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted.