Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression. The Board granted service connection for this condition as it is related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not experience current disability due to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include persistent depressive disorder, which could be attributed to active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and paranoid disorder, are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and a new examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is of service onset or otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, heart disability, damaged teeth, bilateral shoulder disability, and low back disability are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have additional mental health disabilities other than PTSD, and therefore denied service connection for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The claims for various joint disabilities were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability was aggravated during his second and third periods of service, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition. The back disability is also presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective September 22, 2015. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since April 9, 2006. This reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a Social Industrial Survey and obtaining records of vocational services discussions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for Achilles tendonitis due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders are found to be related to his in-service traumatic experience, while sleep apnea is considered to have developed during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires additional development and remand, including for a VA examination to determine if his depression is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings of left ankle DJD and lumbar DDD also require further development.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim for PTSD to include all acquired psychiatric disorders. The case is REMANDED due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional medical findings on causation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.