Depression decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not corroborated and thus, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a mental health examination. The claims will be adjudicated again in light of all the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated employment and educational history, VA treatment records, and a comprehensive examination to determine the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, mood disorder NOS, and depressive disorder NOS. The issue of medical care under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1702 is moot as the Veteran's claim for service connection is now established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder is attributable to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service. As such, the appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his psychiatric disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of recent medical records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD with depressive disorder NOS, has been productive of sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, near continuous depression, social isolation, paranoia, nightmares, hypervigilance, anger problems, avoidant behavior, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran's disability is currently rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's sleep-related symptoms are part of his major depressive disorder and do not constitute a separate disability. His post-operative nasal septum injury residuals have not been shown to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied both issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic costochondritis was granted. The issue regarding the combined disability rating and dismissal of his tinnitus claim are pending as they have not been addressed by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. His claim for PTSD has been granted, with a diagnosis of PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board has determined that a new examination is required to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, as the previous examinations are deemed inadequate. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, effective February 13, 2003. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 50% or higher disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder with psychosis, panic attacks, dementia, and psychotic disorder, are found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD in 2010 and his current diagnoses include PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and dementia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video hearing. He has requested hearings on multiple occasions, and the Board finds this represents good cause for his absence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, kidney disorder, and polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection as it is related to his active military service.,Right ear hearing loss was also granted service connection, with the presumption that noise exposure during service aggravated a pre-existing condition.