Depression decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for a gynecological disorder, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder (depression) as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy affecting his lower extremities and resulting in loss of sensation, have rendered him unable to use his feet for driving. As a result, he is granted financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support this. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dissociative amnesia are also considered mixed (some issues granted, some not).

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS and major depressive disorder are found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders or hepatitis C to his service, and denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression, including bipolar disorder. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including obesity, hypertension, chest pain, foot fungus, eye disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran will also be provided a statement of the case regarding an increased rating for gout.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, as well as a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and any relevant SSA disability benefits information.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to a personal assault during military service, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and applying the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to have begun during service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The residuals of a fractured sternum are not currently diagnosed or related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are related to his military service, including experiences during overseas TDY assignments.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured left fibula was granted. The claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disability, and fractures of the left foot/toes were denied. Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left toe fractures was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as her notice of disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed within one year of the December 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50% prior to March 6, 2012, and increased to 70% thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, as secondary to fibromyalgia, was granted. The issue of PTSD is pending.