Depression decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing with a Board member due to audio equipment malfunction in the previous hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and low back disability, as well as any acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, are pending.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded it to allow for a new hearing. The issue is now before the RO.

The Veteran's MDD alone, without regard to his non-service-connected dementia, is manifested by symptoms producing no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is as likely as not related to his active military service, including experiences during service such as being AWOL and physical and psychological abuse.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an examiner to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric and back disorders did not have their clinical onset in service or within the first post-service year, and are not otherwise related to active duty. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cognitive or acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, bipolar II disorder, and a mood disorder NOS, to include as due to chemical exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether his service-connected hearing loss has aggravated his depression.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with a bulging disc have been rated appropriately, and he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations for his left index finger scar, right wrist SFW residuals, and right chest SFW with damage of the extrinsic muscle group I.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and he now has a diagnosis of depressive disorder. The issue of residuals of cold exposure remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and medical records, as well as to seek an addendum opinion regarding his eye disorders. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate, thus he is not eligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his hearing impairment did not meet VA compensation criteria and his psychiatric condition was not related to service. The Veteran is currently service-connected for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a travel board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The right eye disorder (cataract) claim is remanded due to the lack of a Statement of Claim (SOC).

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were found to be incurred as a result of his active duty, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA mental disorders examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sinusitis or allergic rhinitis that may be related to his active service. However, he was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder with depression).