Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD, prior to May 6, 2011, was manifested by symptoms such as depression, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, hypervigilance, anger outbursts, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, exaggerated startle response, irritability, suicidal ideation, and impaired concentration. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to May 6, 2011.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive and bipolar disorders. He also seeks service connection for a right knee disorder. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric or right knee disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect hearing notice being sent to the Veteran's old address, and a new hearing is scheduled at the Huntington RO. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as private psychiatric and substance abuse treatment records. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has an acquired psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative due to the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for depression and anxiety. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule her for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of her current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's current MDD and depression did not manifest in service, nor is it otherwise related to his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The TDIU claim is part of the increase in rating claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, did not have their clinical onset in service and are not otherwise related to active duty. Psychosis was not exhibited within the first post-service year.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression. The Veteran's current mental health treatment records show positive screenings for depression, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for xerosis and a higher initial disability rating for depressive disorder. The Board finds that additional development is needed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, specifically those dated from March 2009 to the present, and to provide a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, and adjudicating both service connection and temporary total evaluation claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or after his military service. The claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and migraine headaches are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for multiple sclerosis, cognitive and/or psychiatric disorders, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of the knees, and headaches. The appeal is inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by squamous cell carcinoma of the ear, nose and throat with metastatic disease. His service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, depression, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and chronic headaches. These conditions are presumed to be related to his active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Board found that a chronic psychiatric disorder or peripheral artery (vascular) disease was not incurred in or otherwise related to service, specifically attributing the current psychiatric disorder to post-service alcohol and substance abuse.