Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA and private medical records, as well as psychological evaluations, it was concluded that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric condition related to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further examination. The tinnitus reopening issue is also remanded as a new SOC must be issued.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, NOS, with features of PTSD, was incurred during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for head trauma, chronic headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD), and a back disorder. The Veteran submitted new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent effective November 15, 2007. His coronary artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm were both rated at 100 percent effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess his current level of impairment from the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing on his claims.

The Board has reopened the claim regarding the character of the Veteran's discharge and granted service connection for PTSD with depression. The decision also addressed the severance of right ear hearing loss and termination of nonservice-connected pension, finding it improper.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 18, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's major depression/severe anxiety has been productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting an initial rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including the ones related to cervical spine disability. The Board has dismissed the appeal due to this request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI, migraines, dizziness, and photophobia are not service-connected as they did not occur during active duty or are not related to any incident of active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his claims from appellate status, and the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied entitlement to referral for extraschedular consideration of the ratings assigned to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine prior to June 12, 2008.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.