Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service connected due to a valid fear of hostile enemy or terrorist action in Panama.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition had its onset during his military service and is related to it.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty was due to a mental condition that did not qualify as a disability, but interfered with his performance of duty. Therefore, he is not eligible for the 100% benefit level under Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, left knee limitation of extension, right ankle arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for depressive disorder NOS with compulsive disorder is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for MDD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, is also denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the conditions to active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as an adjustment disorder with depression, is granted service connection. The initial rating for his low back disability (degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for service connection for testalgia status post epididymitis with pain, swelling, uncomfortable urination, and erectile dysfunction; stomach pain as secondary to testalgia status post epididymitis with pain, swelling, uncomfortable urination, and erectile dysfunction; and depression to include alcoholism as secondary to testalgia status post epididymitis with pain, swelling, uncomfortable urination, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, as evidenced by exposure to constant, excessive noise during his MOS as a chaparral crewman. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service, with the same in-service stressors cited for PTSD. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder), a respiratory disorder, headaches, and muscle pain. The diagnoses are related to in-service stressors during the Gulf War.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and new evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a minimum, initial 70 percent rating. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, poor familial relationships, nightmares, and sleep impairment. However, further medical development is needed for issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, TDIU, and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder and restoration of a 20 percent disability evaluation for thoracic strain are granted. The reduction in the rating for thoracic strain was improper, and the VA has restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The RO is instructed to obtain any additional medical records, verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service, and consider whether to seek addendum VA opinions or new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current diagnosis.,The claims for initial ratings and staged ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction were remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, are related to personal assault during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for GERD have been denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed conditions or their relationship to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical opinions are needed.