Depression decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Appellant did not become disabled due to a disability claimed as Lyme disease during his military service or from an injury incurred in the line of duty.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his in-service stressors involving exposure to dead Korean soldiers. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted. The 1151 claim for additional disability resulting from March 2008 surgery was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and service personnel records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include emotional instability reaction (claimed as depression), and continues to deny the issue of an increased rating for otitis media. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was granted. However, his claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing. The claims of service connection for emphysema, major depressive disorder with anxiety, and reopening the claim for spina bifida occulta are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depression has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and procedural issues, including a failure to provide the Veteran with necessary forms for obtaining treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after all requested development is completed.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for major depressive disorder has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, NOS, or unspecified depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and thus denied service connection for such condition. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on exposure to insects or any other basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dysthymic disorder/depression, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service. The hypertension claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability have not progressed further as the Veteran passed away.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, blindness, or other conditions that would qualify him for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant.

The Board found that the Veteran's right great toe bunion existed prior to service and was not aggravated by his active service. The claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for clarification of opinions provided in prior examinations.