Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, depression, and anxiety attacks is granted as her lay assertions regarding military sexual trauma are found to be credible, and a competent diagnosis of PTSD can be sustained. The evidence supports the link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor (MST).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorder, and dysthymia, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service stressor or a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and addendum. A new VA medical examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder and major depression. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is manifested by deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms like near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. The disability rating of 70 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's total combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, rendering him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain. The Veteran also requested service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), residuals of a bilateral mandible fracture, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, and chondromalacia patella of the right knee. These issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and Meniere's disease (claimed as vertigo/loss of balance). The Veteran's other claims, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and residuals of a ruptured appendix, are pending further development or remand.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder with panic attacks, depression, and agoraphobia. The Board finds that a remand is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the nature of his current psychiatric condition and its relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's right patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5260. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and his left hand burns are found to be secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as the evidence does not establish its onset during service or relate it to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the presence of other psychiatric diagnoses. The case will be reviewed again, and a new examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist is required to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The VA examiner found no clear nexus between the Veteran's current depression and his service-connected right middle finger osteoarthritis, thus denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and panic disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The lung disorder claim was also denied due to lack of evidence.