Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is found to be etiologically related to his military service due to aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center records, and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her major depressive disorder and herniated nucleus pulposus, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for erectile dysfunction is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn by his attorney prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), headaches, depression, left upper extremity numbness, right upper extremity numbness, and transient ischemic attack. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims.,The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and a skin disability of the bilateral legs (presumed to be chloracne) as a result of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further evidence is needed before these claims can be decided.,The Veteran seeks service connection for jungle rash of the bilateral feet. Further evidence is needed before this claim can be decided.,The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disability, increased sensitivity to heat, cardiovascular disease, liver disability, and kidney disability as a result of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further evidence is needed before these claims can be decided.,,,,,

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability was reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and a psychiatric disability remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further examination of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, did not begin during his period of active service and are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus was not incurred during service and is denied. For his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depression, cannabis dependence, cocaine dependence, the evidence is mixed with some support for a connection to service but also conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for salpingo oophorectomy and tension headaches have been withdrawn.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since August 20, 2008. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder is found to be related to an in-service personal assault, and the claim for service connection is granted. The ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for left knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service stressors. The VA will verify if the Veteran experienced mortar or rocket attacks during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a headache disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety.,The decision is based on the reopening of the claim due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was granted. His migraine headaches are rated at the maximum of 50 percent since September 25, 2014 for TBI residuals.