Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, had its onset in service. The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his in-service experiences aboard the USS Simon Lake.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between his current major depressive disorder and his active duty military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted since the last final denial, which reopened the claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed as the combined award of service connection at 70 percent or higher provides a greater benefit.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a salivary gland disorder due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation for migraine headaches, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran must be provided with new VA examinations and his claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis of the left knee and his claim for service connection for pruritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the scrotum has been reopened, but not granted. The evidence received since the November 2006 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to establish the claim (a diagnosis of a skin rash and reports of treatment for the same in service and since that time).,The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained during his active service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (alcohol use disorder/unspecified depressive disorder), right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, allergies/rhinitis, persistent diarrhea, and migraine headaches are all remanded for further development as specified in the decision.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further examination and evaluation. The remanded issues are related to the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric conditions or disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with the Court's December 2016 and August 2019 Memorandum Decisions, requiring an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the causal connection between the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and DDNOS) and his service-connected in-service stressor involving personal sexual assault.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, right foot drop, left foot drop, and arthritis have been granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his active military service.,There is no medical evidence showing a chronic left knee disorder during or within one year after service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for a left knee disorder, and he was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease over fifty years after separation from service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms most closely approximate those associated with such a rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims. The Board has also remanded several issues including low back, right knee, left knee, cervical spine, OSA, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, including his incarceration records and secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss should be remanded for further examination and analysis.