Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or for being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are supported by credible evidence and his current diagnoses align with these stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also raised.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are due to the Veteran's military service. The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as it requires additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran currently meets VA criteria for a diagnosis of Meniere's disease and if so, whether this condition is related to his military service or caused by his newly service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are not service connected as they are related to his alcohol use disorder and dementia. His cardiovascular disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during service or secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no competent and credible evidence to support a link between any of these disabilities and active duty or exposure to toxic substances. The Veteran's Graves' disease and diabetes were found not to have onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, residuals of a gunshot wound of the left buttocks, and surgical scar of the left buttocks were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was not reopened due to lack of material evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability or respiratory disability, and the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between any current psychiatric or respiratory disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has been rated at 70 percent since June 13, 2008. The rating is based on symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, GERD, diverticulosis/diverticulitis, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for depression, a compensable initial rating for bilateral eye disability (photophobia), service connection for a skin disability of the left hand, and service connection for a right foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service periods and obtaining service treatment records from the Army Reserves. The issues include reopening a claim for bilateral inguinal hernias, entitlement to hypertension service connection, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, depression and adjustment disorder with anxiety/depression, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for a new opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed migraines and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not support a finding that any diagnosed condition is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and any SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. However, her remaining service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the November 2015 VA examination report and because of the possibility that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders may have pre-existed his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his tinnitus and service.