Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to pending development of her employment history.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder as the evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD or etiological relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (previously evaluated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and memory loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and MDD was granted with an effective date of December 14, 1996. This decision is based on the initial submission of a formal claim within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were granted initial ratings of 70 percent, effective October 16, 2009. A TDIU was also granted on this date, along with DEA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The claim is reopened due to new evidence, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are not related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, due to a lack of recent VA treatment records. The Veteran's service personnel records show changes in his MOS from radio operator to postal clerk and military police. He reported vision problems that affected his ability to drive and work at his military specialty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Adjustment Disorder due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including the relationship between his substance abuse and his condition. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximated those associated with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and sleep apnea due to additional development being required. The SMP claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has vacated its decision remanding the claim of major depressive disorder and dismissed it due to a timely post-supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for GERD and left forearm and elbow disability are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are also being remanded as addendum opinions were inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depression is being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claim for a sleep disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no new or material evidence was submitted to reopen service connection for PTSD. The issues of rating for various disabilities were also dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and lower back disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions rather than presumptive or other theories.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.