Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is etiologically related to his non-combat experiences during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, as his in-service stressor is considered credible and related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The claim for a back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. However, there is no evidence of a current disability manifested by low blood pressure during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and a sleep disorder. The Veteran's service personnel records may also need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are all service-connected. The decision is based on credible evidence of current disabilities and a link to service.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran claims service connection for anxiety and depression as secondary to his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, cystic acne, and epidermal inclusions. He also claims service connection for PTSD based on a reported in-service personal assault. Additional development is needed to verify the stressor event and obtain relevant records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have residuals of a left arm fracture or an acquired psychiatric disorder due to any incident of his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence reflects that he does not have these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, to include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), related to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia secondary to PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Alcohol Dependence, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for a TDIU was denied as the service connection theory is unknown.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and did not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence. The current diagnoses of major depressive disorder, depression NOS, panic disorder, and anxiety NOS are considered insufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no effective dates or ratings were granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, due to lack of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-IV.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to establish the credibility of the alleged stressor event and to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus or hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected, effective March 16, 2010.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion is inadequate for evaluation purposes and thus, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD cannot be granted as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a mental health examination to clarify his current psychiatric condition and its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for substance abuse and a mental condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.