Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, Dysthymic Disorder, or Adjustment Disorder based on direct evidence and denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was granted with an effective date of October 15, 2009.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for PTSD to a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bladder disorder, skin disorder of the hands, erectile dysfunction, and increased ratings for sarcoidosis and fecal incontinence. The claims for prostate cancer, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a heart condition were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. Effective dates earlier than February 25, 2009 for TDIU and DEA benefits were granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be adjudicated again in light of all evidence received.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his active service. The issues on appeal include seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, which includes PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service separation form shows he had continuous active service from January 5, 1961 to December 27, 1962. However, his service ended before the start of the Vietnam era and does not meet the criteria for qualifying wartime service as required by law.

The Board found that the Veteran's dysthymia and major depressive disorder were incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing depressive disorder was aggravated by his service, leading to a determination in favor of granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient consideration of all evidence and inconsistencies in medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder has been manifested by memory interference, outburst of anger, irritability, depression, anxiety, impaired concentration, and sleep impairment without occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood throughout the entire claims period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to verify the Veteran's reported stressors. The Veteran will also undergo a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, low back disability, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of depression or head rash at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has met all elements of service connection: present disability (specified trauma and stressor related disorder), in-service incurrence or aggravation (credible statements about military experiences), and causal relationship between current symptomatology and specific claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Appellant's service records and determine her claims for service connection. The VA will notify the Appellant if further action is required.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since the appeal period began, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.