Depression decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, seizure disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tension headaches was set at July 22, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder NOS, PTSD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder. The effective date is not specified as the claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's DMII and DDO have been granted service connection, but the claim for a higher rating for DDO remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and employment background.

The Board has determined that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and agoraphobia, is not related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection on a direct basis was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, as it did not require insulin or regulation of activities. For the acquired psychiatric disabilities, the VA examiner provided an opinion indicating they were less likely than not related to service. Regarding residuals of a broken nose, no diagnosis could be made due to lack of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his combat service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and major depression with psychosis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling prior to March 12, 2010 and 50 percent disabling thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as secondary to his service-connected headaches, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations of her service-connected major depressive disorder, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The VA will provide these examinations and then readjudicate her claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his active service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service sleep issues are credible and probative. The claim of service connection for a sleep disorder to include narcolepsy and sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety is not related to her service. Her hypertension was also not shown to be caused by or aggravated by her service. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 11, 2011 for the grant of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied. The Veteran withdrew his prior claim for this benefit in March 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with claustrophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The increased rating claim for asbestosis is remanded. The TDIU issue remains in appellate status.