Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, benign familial essential tremor of the bilateral upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The newly received evidence did not support reopening any of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

Effective dates of October 14, 2013 have been granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. An effective date earlier than January 14, 2008 has been denied for persistent depressive disorder.,Secondary service connection for migraines (aggravated by PTSD and tinnitus) and obstructive sleep apnea (aggravated by PTSD) have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's manic depressive disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple disabilities, including head injuries and knee issues. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim is recharacterized as such.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a VA examination, and another attempt must be made to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is remanded due to the failure to notify and schedule a VA examination. The Veteran was treated for 'inability to adjust' in service, leading to an adjustment disorder with depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The appellant's acquired psychiatric disability is being considered based on his in-service mental health issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), and a personality disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or chronic conditions related to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the preponderance of the evidence does not support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors, which are necessary for service connection. The Veteran is not subject to any of the relaxed presumptions relating to PTSD stressor confirmation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and excoriation disorder, are related to his service, particularly his enuresis and bullying experiences. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for a higher rating remains pending.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, but no greater, effective June 26, 1986. The appeal for OSA and a higher initial rating for schizophrenia with depression and anxiety remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, are granted as service connection is established based on the current medical diagnosis and the occurrence of a recognized in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder with anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his military service. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides and/or other contaminants at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s exposure and schedule him for examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to these exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for antisocial personality disorder, major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and rating for bilateral flat feet due to incomplete development. The claim for service connection for antisocial personality disorder is denied as it is a congenital or developmental defect.