Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are service-connected, with the stressors being considered direct rather than based on a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors.

The Veteran's low back disability and cervical spine disability are currently service-connected, but the claim for acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as it has been reopened.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current cervical spine disabilities and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for depression secondary to hypothyroidism and increased the rating for hypothyroidism from 10% to 30%. The Veteran's claim is now resolved.

The Board has determined that an effective date of July 8, 2010 is warranted for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depression and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's mental health condition, specifically depression and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded for additional development as the service treatment records related to his in-service symptoms are missing. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine if these conditions were incurred during service or are related to in-service treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for depression was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent or 50 percent disability rating prior to and from February 1, 2016 respectively.

The Veteran's asbestosis and acquired psychiatric disability are service-connected due to their relationship with his service-connected asbestosis. The subpleural pulmonary nodules are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed stressors could not be verified and his statements were inconsistent. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are more likely related to personal trauma, such as a mining accident and loss of his father, rather than service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a need for another VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities and insomnia are pending.

The Veteran's chronic left wrist sprain is found to be related to his service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression) remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor and insufficient medical evidence linking current symptoms to military service.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to attend a videoconference hearing and for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and in-service psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination is also required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and depression, are not related to his military service.,The VA examinations did not find a clear nexus between the current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Veteran is found not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental health condition, specifically schizophrenia and major depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not begin during his period of active duty for training (ADT) from September 2004 to March 2005, and therefore cannot be service connected based on this period. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder, is related to his service and granted him service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is found to be incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disorder were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his military service. The Board concluded that these conditions are more likely related to post-military life stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any current psychiatric disorders are related to service, while the low back disability is not shown to be related to service either.