Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran's anxiety/depression disability warrants a higher initial rating, but remands the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder results in significant impairment, including work and social functioning issues. The VA has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine if there are any new or material issues related to his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; a low back disability; and a bilateral hip disability were denied. The Veteran had reported experiencing stressors during World War II typhoons but his STRs did not show any treatment or diagnosis of a nervous disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the underlying claim as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or link between his claimed in-service stressor and his current PTSD. The depression claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol abuse. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer was reopened and granted. However, his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression) were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his current symptoms and any in-service stressor.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, either directly or as a result of aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Board found that the cause of death was due to multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than his service-connected depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of the credibility of the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 15, 2006 for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for scars was denied as the earliest possible effective date is November 15, 2006.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 7, 2009 for compensation for MDD associated with scarring was also denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 7, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to clarify the nature and onset of his claimed psychiatric and respiratory disabilities, as well as any relationship to service. The examinations will also determine if there was chemical exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to military service or caused by substance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims, including potential service connection based on aggravation by pre-existing conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 23, 2008 for the award of a 50 percent rating for mood disorder, NOS. The Veteran's symptoms and disability picture during this period more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.