Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for hepatitis C. The Veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder due to any incident of his active duty service.

The Board found that the effective date for the grant of service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety cannot be earlier than July 19, 2010 as there was no informal claim received within one year after separation from military service in September 30, 2007. The Veteran's initial informal claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was filed on July 19, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his scars claim.

The Veteran's claim for pension benefits was denied as his income exceeded the maximum allowable pension rate. For issues related to depression and thoracolumbar spine disability, the Board found that the symptoms were contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. He is diagnosed with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including depression, is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,His right knee strain is determined to have been incurred during active service.,DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine are also found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has PTSD, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for major depressive disorder or PTSD, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service and VA examinations did not provide an etiological opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not etiologically related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for depression and PTSD, but denied both claims as the evidence does not establish a link between current psychiatric disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to address the etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran's service treatment records reflect no pre-existing psychiatric disability at entry into active service in April 1976.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 16, 2013.

The Veteran's right hip piriformis syndrome, which was service-connected and rated at 30%, contributed to his death from acute bronchopneumonia. The Board found that the disability aided in producing the death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The claims of reopening service connection for respiratory and psychiatric disabilities, as well as seeking an initial disability rating for chronic sinusitis, are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and work experience.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine whether he has an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's right arm or hand disability is also being examined.