Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (left knee injury and depression) have not resulted in the required criteria for a temporary total evaluation based on treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and will return it for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD with dysthymia and depression, as well as his requests for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating. The claims were previously denied in August 2005 due to severance of service connection.

The Board found that an effective date earlier than April 21, 2009 is not warranted for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression, alcohol abuse, and cannabis abuse. The Veteran's claim was denied in a March 2006 rating decision, which became final. A new claim to reopen the previously denied PTSD claim was filed on April 21, 2009, after the January 2008 denial of new and material evidence. The Board also found that there is no evidence in the claims file prior to April 21, 2009 which can be interpreted as a claim to reopen the previously denied PTSD claim.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected disabilities. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome the effects of her vocational impairment due to her service-connected conditions. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits prior to April 27, 2011 was granted. His claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are service-connected, with the back disability issue remaining unresolved.

The Veteran's major depression is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder has been granted. He is currently rated at 70 percent for his Major Depressive Disorder, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his incarceration during service and/or his service-connected right knee and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia and arthritis. As such, service connection for a major depressive disorder (claimed as depression) has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Parkridge East Hospital was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment and he had other insurance coverage.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including her knee disabilities and depression, preclude her from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his in-service combat experience, and thus service connection for psychiatric disability (claimed as anxiety, depression, and PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that his currently diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine if any psychiatric disorders are related to service or the service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his private treatment records from Dr. Z.A.R.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his claimed stressors and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for major depression, an adjustment disorder/reaction with depressed mood, a panic disorder, and pathological gambling. These conditions are found to be related to his military service and/or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal disability have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be at least in part due to his active service. However, there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from numbness of the bilateral upper extremities or left knee disorder during service and it is not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The bladder disorder was also not incurred in or aggravated by active service.