Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression have been found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, allowing for service connection. The Board also granted the claim of TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unemployable prior to October 2, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examination(s) and SSA records, as well as any other relevant treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an updated VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD with depression and the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD with depression, including anxiety.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent rating, but denied an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not caused total occupational and social impairment at any time during the initial rating period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and determining whether they contain new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for the entirety of this appeal.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, specifically depression. As such, the claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically depression/anxiety. The September 2003 rating decision held that no new or material evidence was provided.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and PTSD have been remanded due to inadequate evidence. The Board will require a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder is being remanded due to the need for VCAA notice regarding fire-related records, additional VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC since January 2008, and private medical records. A VA examination is also required.

The Veteran experienced or witnessed events involving actual or threatened death or serious injury while stationed in Vietnam, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met and grants the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral glaucoma, and a corneal scar of the right eye were adjudicated. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), but denied for bilateral glaucoma and a corneal scar of the right eye.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fainting, lack of coordination, memory loss, confusion, anxiety, and depression. The Board finds that clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's duty status on dates when he received anthrax vaccinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, depression, a heart condition, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain alone does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is found to have a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, which is linked by competent medical evidence to the Veteran's active service. As such, the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD. The service connection was granted for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder based on their causal relationship to active duty service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's depression and dementia are not related to his active service, including PTSD. The Board found no medical evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently manifested psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed due to a disease associated with military service. The evidence did not show that his current condition had its onset during service or within one year of separation.