Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his neck disability claim, and thus must be remanded. The VA examinations and opinions need to address whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, depression, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his depressive disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, and she also received a separate rating for right knee instability. The initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address all diagnoses of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current asthma and COPD are not related to his military service, including in-service asbestos exposure or service-connected pleural plaques. The acquired psychiatric disability is also not related to his military service, specifically his service-connected pleural plaques.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and major depression as secondary to his service-connected cancer of the vocal cord (larynx). The rating for the laryngeal cancer remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed recurrent major depressive disorder is related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of medical evidence related to his service-connected psychiatric disability and left leg disability/ies, including records of VA treatment and a private mental status examination. The AOJ will also arrange for an orthopedic surgeon to examine the Veteran and provide opinions on the nature and likely etiology of any left leg disabilities found.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is pending and will be addressed in a future examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric conditions were not aggravated by service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires additional development and remand for several issues, including scheduling a videoconference hearing for tinnitus, obtaining clarification on the etiology of his right shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, and considering whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected major depression (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) was denied. The Veteran is currently rated 70 percent disabled, but the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms warranting such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted based on his service-connected major depression and other disabilities. He is now entitled to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 12, 2010, due to symptoms including intrusive thoughts, panic attacks more than once a week, nightmares, unprovoked irritability, difficulty with his thinking and judgment, impairment of short- and long-term memory, and the inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from January 26, 2005 to June 24, 2009.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is found to be related to service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has residuals of an aneurysm with memory loss due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim.