Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with panic disorder has been granted, as his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment but not to the level that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee, spine, feet, and wrist disabilities. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service. The Veteran was deployed to Djibouti and had symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, concentration problems, irritability, and forgetfulness during his deployment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is reopened. The appeal is granted to this limited extent.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and found that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and obstructive sleep apnea was not established, as there is no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including to verify in-service stressors and determine the nature and etiology of hearing loss, PTSD, anxiety, depressive disorder, and TMJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for higher ratings or an earlier effective date has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's headaches are also granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus. For allergic rhinitis, a 10% rating is granted effective October 26, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo a new VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by the Board.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI and PTSD with TBI, as these issues have been fully addressed by a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The other claims for service connection were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety, depressive disorder, and PTSD have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the LLE and RLE as due to residuals of a cold weather injury.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, major depressive disorder, hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, and cervical spine disability. The claim to reopen the lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims are reopened based on new evidence, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing treatment records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected condition, and pes planus.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of depression is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depression, currently rated at 50 percent, is denied as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence showing that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.