Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's heart disorder and depression are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions, with the heart disorder being presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence is in equipoise regarding their relationship to service.,Service connection is granted for unspecified depressive disorder, as the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to service.,Service connection is denied for PTSD due to lack of a diagnosis under DSM criteria. Service connection is also denied for skin disorders and CAD, as there is no evidence of their onset in service or within one year post-service discharge.

The Board found that the Appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions was due to willful and persistent misconduct, not insanity. Therefore, his service is considered a bar to VA benefits except for healthcare under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's character of discharge for the period from August 2007 to February 2009 is not a bar to VA benefits due to his mental illness, which led to his misconduct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between her current diagnoses of anxiety and depression and her active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of stroke, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim for a back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings due to procedural issues, including a failure to issue an SOC on these matters. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it relates back to the original claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including asthma, depression, sarcoidosis, hydrocephalus, and left wrist injury. The Veteran is also requested to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with depression, right foot fractures, and recurrent blepharitis. The Board has found that the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate are met.,The Veteran does not meet the eligibility criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent total disability involving both hands or blindness in both eyes.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The claims are remanded to obtain a VA examination and etiological opinions.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and denied for tinnitus. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim remains pending as the evidence does not establish continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder (also claimed as PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to additional medical records being added to the claims file after an August 2017 Supplemental Statement of Case.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to her military service. The decision is based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is not service-connected as it predated and was aggravated by a motor vehicle accident, not related to service.,There is no evidence of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder) in service. The Veteran has reported symptoms since October 2010 but lacks a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's sleep disorder remains unexplained without further medical evidence.,Bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, particularly adjustment disorder diagnosed shortly after service. The case will be reviewed again with new medical opinions and records.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that his depression is proximately due to his hearing loss.