Depression decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and further development of the record, as the current VA examination is inadequate due to lack of consideration of the Veteran's private diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are at least as likely as not related to his active service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to withdrawal of appeals by the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are not attributable to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and polysubstance abuse, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is found to be etiologically related to service.,It is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus is caused by noise exposure in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and right knee disability. The claims for reopening of drug and alcohol abuse, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C, and anxiety disorder were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred in service and did not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of credible evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his depressive disorder and his ability to work. The issues of an increased rating for depressive disorder and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his depressive disorder was not caused by or related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including consideration of the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination(s) and medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for premature ventricular complexes from 30% to 10%, effective November 21, 2012, was proper. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between his psychiatric symptoms and his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of all current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling effective December 11, 2009. The Board has granted an increased rating to 70 percent during the course of this appeal and as such, it impacts the TDIU effective date.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a current psychiatric disability, likely PTSD or another acquired psychiatric condition. Service connection is also established for sleep apnea. The claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizures and psychiatric disability, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD, are not related to military service.