Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, psychosis, and personality disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea was likely incurred during his active service. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, depression disability, left ventricular hypertrophy disability, and hypertension disabilities is granted.

For the period from January 16, 2013 to January 20, 2016, the Veteran is rated at 50% for migraine headaches with Migraine Variants.,Beginning on January 21, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50%

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying dates of service. The appeal will be referred to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, diagnosed as depressive disorder and PTSD, are related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and insomnia was granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective June 27, 2012. She also received TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD alone and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression has been granted. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met, given his combat experience and diagnosed PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from Biloxi, Mississippi. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran will also be afforded examinations to address his left knee disability, depressive disorder, and left hip condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, depressive disorder, joint pain in shoulders, left hip, and left knee, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or nevus, and toe joint disorders. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim for right hip disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression and cannabis abuse has been granted, but the initial evaluation remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has been rated as 30 percent disabling since November 1, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 50 percent since September 4, 2009. He is also granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate beginning November 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and residuals thereof did not manifest during service, is not related to his service in any manner, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection. The same determination was made regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes depression but not PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a depressive disorder that he claims is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The case has been remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disability and his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is causally related to his active service and has granted service connection for this condition.