Depression decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, during the pendency of the appeal. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness and vertigo, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 20, 2011, and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his major depressive disorder and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records, scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability, major depressive disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and providing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and bipolar disorders, is not warranted. Service treatment records do not document any psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses during active duty. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are diagnosed post-service and the VA examiner found no nexus to his in-service alcoholism. For the right hand and elbow neuropathy claims, service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. However, service connection for residuals of a right thumb laceration and a right elbow scar is granted with respective 10% ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions on whether a valid diagnosis of PTSD can be established and if the Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to service or service-related stressors.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the relationship between his current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and any SSA disability benefit award records. The Veteran will be afforded a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination to determine whether his acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including verifying stressors and exposure to herbicides. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorder with Depression, and Depression with Anxiety. The examiner will need to consider the September 2006 service treatment records discussing these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, specifically an in-service sexual trauma/personal assault.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed anxiety and depression were not incurred in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's depression and PTSD are found to be related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and paranoid schizophrenia, which began during his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS and depression, but denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the period on appeal.