Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend in-person examinations and recommends scheduling a virtual/video telehealth examination or similar service for an appropriate evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal of these issues during a Board hearing. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, but no higher, from December 31, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining deck logs from the U.S.S. Francis Marion and obtaining relevant medical records.

The appeal for residuals of a bruised kidney was dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service and continued through present day, granting service connection for this condition. The claims for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective August 19, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU from August 19, 2013 to August 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and tremors).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and ADHD, was granted a 70 percent rating from September 30, 2012 to November 18, 2015.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability was denied. The evidence submitted since the July 2008 rating decision is not new and material.,The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a urinary disability was also denied. Evidence received since the final October 1998 Board decision and July 2008 rating decision are not new and material tending to prove or disprove the matter in issue.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Dependence is granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent from November 5, 2015 to June 22, 2020. The claim for a higher disability rating remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is reopened and granted as the condition is found to be secondary to his service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture.,Service connection for GERD and ED are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability, including medication taken for sinusitis and/or residuals of a sinus fracture.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is denied due to insufficient evidence supporting the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for major depressive disorder was dismissed as he withdrew his appeals prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and cardiomyopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left Achilles' tendinitis, and major depressive disorder have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,An initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder has been denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The condition is presumed to have existed prior to the Veteran's entrance into military service but was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder prior to April 22, 2014 is granted at a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, should be remanded due to insufficient development of his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to re-open the Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The claims are now remanded for further development.