Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks service connection for his depression, which he claims is related to his service-connected pes planus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's depression and his pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from private providers and VA treatment records, verifying an in-service stressor related to PTSD, and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including dysthymic disorder, MDD, and anxiety disorder NOS, had their onset in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is due to military sexual trauma (MST) incurred in service. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, hypertension, high cholesterol, and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and verifying claimed stressors. A VA examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, PTSD, residuals of TBI, and headaches have been granted. The conditions are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified with generalized anxiety and posttraumatic stress features, is related to his active service. The claim for depressive disorder NOS was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since February 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability related to his active duty service, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder based on lack of a diagnosed condition in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The claim was also not granted as secondary to an already service-connected condition or due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability that is etiologically related to service, and his right shoulder disability was also denied. The appeal for these claims is therefore dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and personality disorder, was not incurred in or caused by his military service. The Veteran's current left knee disability is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The issue of service connection for interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma related to asbestos exposure is also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 6, 2009. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD, finding that her psychiatric disorders were not caused by or related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, service connection for sinusitis and a right ankle disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depression, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, a heart condition, sarcoidosis, and a back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service.