Depression decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability, heart disability, extremity numbness, dizziness, eye disability, leg disability, back disability, and neck disability are all denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service or any incident of service origin.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 14, 2009. The rating is based on the symptoms and impairment described in his medical records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder have rendered him unemployable since November 10, 2009. His service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to May 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, has been granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for depression and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder and mild TBI disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 29, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation due to the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's medical records and service personnel records. The claim for reopening of the depression service connection will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for right ankle intermittent sharp pain and right big toe numbness have been dismissed.,The Veteran has been granted a rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder, effective the date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety, cannot be established as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis. The Board acknowledges that he served in combat but lacks supporting documentation.,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he currently works full-time in a self-employed business. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing physical labor required by his job.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for major depressive disorder and whether a timely appeal was submitted for migraine headaches. The Veteran is entitled to further consideration of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depression was denied as the evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD, and the claimed psychiatric disorders are considered to be related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran was provided a VA examination in March 2016 which did not consider his reported nightmares related to service. Additionally, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder NOS during the appeal period but no opinion on its etiology has been provided.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and depression are found to be related to his service-connected hypothyroidism, hydrocephalus with migraines, and ankle disability. His TDIU claim is granted as he has been unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since May 2008.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The evidence received since February 2009 addressed the unestablished fact of a current disability, which is new and material.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, adjustment disorder, and anxiety, are not service-connected due to lack of credible supporting evidence for an in-service stressor involving military sexual trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and a cognitive disorder. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD made in accordance with DSM criteria, and there was no nexus between any current psychiatric disability and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and further evidentiary review.