Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD) have been granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran's presence in Japan during a riot following his service has not been verified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to failure to comply with all of its August 2013 directives, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The case is now pending for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the onset of his condition during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from SSA and VA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, remains in a 'unknown' status as it is not related to service connection.

The Veteran's medical expenses for emergency room services on June 9, 2011 are approved as they met the criteria of being incurred in a medical emergency and were not previously authorized by VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for depression from November 7, 1996, to May 4, 2011 remains under review.

The Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's Disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as it preexisted service and resolved.,Major Depression is not shown to be causally related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge was due to a service-connected disability, meeting the requirements for eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, secondary to choledocholithiasis and type II sphincter of oddi dysfunction, as well as her claim for an increased rating for cholecystectomy with history of gallstones, choledocholithasis, type II sphincter of oddi and constipation have been granted. The issue of a higher evaluation for the service-connected disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for mental disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, depression, anger, and memory loss. The Veteran provided new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims - a nexus between his current psychiatric condition and his military service. However, the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination in December 2012 without providing good cause.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death from positional asphyxia due to a car accident.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection for hemorrhoids and depression secondary to his service-connected ureterolithiasis, as well as a higher rating for his ureterolithiasis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that it is at least as likely as not that he suffered from PTSD due to a verified in-service stressor. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a social and industrial survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and chronic adjustment disorder, is not related to her National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation by ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature, extent and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder. The Veteran was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but not PTSD. An addendum opinion is requested to provide rationale for the conclusion that bipolar disorder is less likely than not caused by or a result of service.