Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions preexisted military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide notice regarding personal assault claims, and schedule the Veteran with a VA examination to assess her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Mood Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on appeal as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder has been remanded for further examination and evaluation.,Service connection for a headache disorder is granted based on current medical evidence.,Tinnitus was granted service connection, effective October 13, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prothrombin gene mutation with secondary hypercoagulability was dismissed due to the Veteran requesting withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for service connection for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), status post deep vein thrombosis with pulmonary embolus (stroke), and seizure disorder are remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional records from SSA and VA VRE, scheduling a new examination for major depressive disorder and PTSD, and providing an opinion on the left knee disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's seizure disorder and MDD and unspecified anxiety disorder as secondary to her service-connected seizure disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions are proximately due to her service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and head trauma residuals are being remanded due to the inability to verify stressors for PTSD, and the need for further examination regarding both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for cardiovascular condition, hypertension, respiratory condition (chronic bronchitis and breathing problems), and acquired psychiatric condition (depression) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded because there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file to make a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities as they are not related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The effective date for increased rating of residuals of left fifth metatarsal fracture is also denied.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, right rotator cuff tendinopathy, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and post-operative ventral hernia. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2014 VA examination opinion. The examiner based their conclusion on a lack of psychiatric complaints during service, which does not align with the Veteran's reported history and symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disorder claims, as well as his TDIU claim. The VA will obtain treatment records, schedule a VA examination to assess the severity of the right ankle disability, attempt to verify the Veteran's stressor related to Guantanamo Bay service, and provide an examination for his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate May 2013 VA examination and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his stressors. The case is being returned for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. Additional development is needed to verify in-service stressors and determine if a current psychiatric condition is related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and alcohol use disorder as these conditions are found to have originated during active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD with depression and cognitive residuals of TBI has been granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and persistent depressive disorder. The Veteran's reported in-service stressors are found to be credible and consistent with his service, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD.