Depression decisions — 2015

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.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C, depression, and obstructive sleep apnea. The case is REMANDED to obtain outstanding VA treatment records, military personnel records, and determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied as the earliest possible effective date is September 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and completion of the VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not corroborate his reported in-service stressors and there is no medical opinion linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to service. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current schizoaffective disorder, depressive type was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not show chronic symptoms of psychosis during service or continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and his psychiatric disability is presumed to be related to service. The left eye condition needs further clarification regarding its nature (disease or defect) and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's dysthymia (depressive disorder) is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 20, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to July 1, 2003 and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD. The decision is based on the lack of inservice treatment records and current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a mental health condition (claimed as anxiety and depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was characterized by occupational and social impairment, resulting in a 30 percent disability rating. The TBI residuals were also considered, but did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board found that the Veteran has bilateral keratoconus incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma during her service.