Depression decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for depression and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service, and his sleep disorder is linked to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is not related to service or a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and heart disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depression, are caused by his service-connected physical disabilities. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran experienced chronic depressive disorder and/or PTSD at the time he filed his service connection claim, currently experiences such disabilities, or experienced them during the pendency of this appeal. The Veteran's current appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, residuals of a nasal fracture with a deviated septum, and a disability manifested by breathing difficulty to include sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination and incomplete reasoning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for depression and remanded the case to obtain additional evidence, including a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders are also being considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need to verify in-service stressors. The case will be returned to the Board for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issues are whether she should receive an increased rating for her service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, and if she is unemployable.

The Board denied all the issues on appeal, including entitlement to increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities and an earlier effective date for service connection of a depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or depression. The Veteran's claims are now on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder and arm disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that there was no credible evidence to support the claimed stressors related to his service.

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia, anxiety not otherwise specified (NOS), and depression, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been evaluated at 50 percent since March 19, 2009. The Board finds that the current evaluation is appropriate and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, originated during his active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran incurred a disability manifested by headaches in service. The other issues remain on appeal.