Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to clarify his psychiatric diagnosis and obtain a medical nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and service. Additionally, an examination for rheumatoid arthritis will be arranged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depressive disorder, NOS and generalized anxiety disorder are etiologically related to his active military service. The Veteran's insomnia is considered a symptom of his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for cervical spine spondylosis and service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, particularly in the form of VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and whether he can obtain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist injury with scar, are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of PTSD and Depression, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for anxiety disorder, but granted TDIU based on his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder with depression and anxiety does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for post-surgical scars on the lumbar spine was denied. The cervical spine disability and major depression claims were not granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude a return to substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination using DSM-IV criteria, and to confirm his current address.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since the examination, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, depression, hypertension, gout, and hepatitis C are related to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD is not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder with panic attacks have been rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria. The pseudotumor cerebri has not been found to affect her ability to work, leading to a denial of her claim for increased disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, and bipolar disorder NOS, had their onset during military service and are otherwise etiologically related to his military service. After applying the benefit of doubt, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his current symptoms are related to his active-duty service and not his years of substance abuse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is causally related to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes-related disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for depression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues with the increased rating claim and for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder with major depression has resulted in at least occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since May 20, 2007.,The Veteran's service-connected disability has prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him since May 20, 2007.

The Veteran's mood disorder is proximately due to his service-connected residuals of a low back injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.