Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, depression, and attention deficit disorder were denied as there was no current diagnosis or evidence of in-service causation.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed depression was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostatitis nor related to military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected prostatitis, is denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by a motor vehicle accident, and there is no evidence of any service-connected disability or mental health condition that contributed to his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder, as there is no diagnosis conforming to DSM-IV and the evidence fails to establish a link between his current psychiatric conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and his death.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to address the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims file was reviewed, but additional stressors are claimed by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current mental disorders are related to service. The Veteran is also requested to submit additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed Anxiety Disorder, NOS, mild, with episodes of depression is causally or etiologically related to active duty, including his service in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, thinking, and mood. The VA determined that a 70 percent evaluation is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain his personnel records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the prior rating decisions, and the earliest possible effective date is June 23, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case in connection with the overpayment of disability compensation benefits issue.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD includes a claim for depression and adjustment disorder. Additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from outside psychiatrists, determining if the Veteran's unit was involved in any crossfire during service, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 16, 1995 for service connection of major depressive disorder and a higher initial evaluation. The appeal is pending on remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to missing records and the need for clarification of combat service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claims.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, to include major depression with psychotic features and anxiety neurosis. The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case must be issued so the Veteran can understand his appellate rights.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but his other claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for separate ratings or are not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has denied all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as he did not experience incapacitating episodes or significant nasal obstruction.,Tinnitus was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.