Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The low back disability claim is remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis to include lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted service connection with an effective date of September 12, 2016. The Veteran's sleep apnea (claimed as sleep disturbances) and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and his claimed alcohol abuse and cocaine dependence disorders. The case is now on hold for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging an addendum opinion from a suitable examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted due to the evidence being at least evenly balanced in favor of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the increased rating claims for right knee, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine whether he has separate and distinct diagnoses of PTSD or Depression, which are related to active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 1, 2013. His full-time employment was found to be non-marginal and he received compensation for his absences.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depression, finding that her symptoms did not manifest within a year of separation from active duty and were not related to her military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder was granted. The claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and cannabis use disorder were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, other specified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder are rated at 70 percent effective April 20, 2016. The appeal is denied for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma and other conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise etiologically related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his military service in Southwest Asia. The claims will be reconsidered after additional research is conducted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected gastrectomy with dumping syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and B12 deficiency anemia. The decision is based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his depressive disorder with adjustment disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment, but noted he had some level of social functioning.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's depression is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been granted a 10 percent disability rating. The case is remanded for further examination regarding sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and TDIU.,The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea remains pending, as does his request for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issue of a total disability rating based on unemployability is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain information regarding the Veteran's employment history, as part of her TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychological disorders examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or her right ankle disability.