Depression Board decisions

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined and for additional development of his claims due to incarceration, as well as clarification on whether he is available for a VA examination at a VA medical center or if he is currently incarcerated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is not etiologically related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service personal assault or witnessed suicide attempts, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are not considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a psychosis that manifested to a compensable level within one year of the Veteran's discharge from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his in-service personal assault. However, there is also evidence suggesting these conditions may not be directly linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and TDIU due to his non-compensable service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's major depression with suicidal tendencies and anxiety are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2012. The rating was granted based on the severity of his PTSD symptoms which included irritability, sleep problems, social and activity avoidance, increased alcohol use, decreased participation in previously enjoyable activities, and frequent distressing recollections about Vietnam experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current PTSD with depressive disorder, as there are no recent medical records available. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, GAD, and MDD, did not preexist service, were not first manifested during service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected central nervous system and major depressive disorders, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has once again remanded the claim due to incomplete records and a need for further medical evaluation. The appellant's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression have been rated at 100 percent since June 12, 2014. The initial evaluation was granted to reflect the increased disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. He seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, higher ratings for depressive disorder and ischemic heart disease, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board found that the VA examiner's opinion, based on review of the claims file and discussion of DSM-IV criteria, determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.