Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be related to his in-service combat experiences. Service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not clearly and unmistakably have a pre-existing psychiatric disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted for any current acquired psychiatric disability. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD, obesity/weight gain, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are related to his service. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and leg cramps are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as new and material evidence has been received. However, the claim for PTSD cannot be granted because there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service and obtaining relevant medical records. The appellant's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep disorder and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, causes significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds a 70 percent rating is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD, did not have onset during service or were not related to an in-service injury or event. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, NOS, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his in-service stressors and a review of his service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for anemia was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (to include hypertension and a heart murmur).,Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of a cardiovascular disorder.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim based on his period of honorable service was denied due to dishonorable discharge, precluding VA benefits for that period.,There is equipoise (equally balanced) evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition, as the Veteran's current skin condition is not related to his active military service.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, finding that the Veteran does not have an undiagnosed illness and that his current conditions are not related to his service.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection was denied for varicose veins of the right leg and left leg as there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed mental health disorder, and thus denied his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the issue, including a VA examination to address whether any psychiatric disability identified clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service or is otherwise related to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient opinions from the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The Veteran is asked to submit a statement from his VA treatment provider and another examination is required.