Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, PTSD, residuals of TBI, and headaches have been granted. The conditions are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified with generalized anxiety and posttraumatic stress features, is related to his active service. The claim for depressive disorder NOS was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since February 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability related to his active duty service, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder based on lack of a diagnosed condition in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The claim was also not granted as secondary to an already service-connected condition or due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability that is etiologically related to service, and his right shoulder disability was also denied. The appeal for these claims is therefore dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and personality disorder, was not incurred in or caused by his military service. The Veteran's current left knee disability is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The issue of service connection for interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma related to asbestos exposure is also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective November 6, 2009. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD, finding that her psychiatric disorders were not caused by or related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, service connection for sinusitis and a right ankle disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depression, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, a heart condition, sarcoidosis, and a back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow pain, sinusitis, and depression. However, it denied service connection for left ankle disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease are service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is also service-connected based on the presumption of service connection for conditions related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, verifying service dates and stressor events, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with major depression disorder and alcohol dependence in full remission on March 28, 2011. The effective date of this grant is September 17, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and considering newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms.