Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain and/or tinnitus. The case is being returned due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, lower back disorder, TBI residuals, migraine headaches, PTSD, and acquired psychiatric condition to include anxiety and depression are not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder due to insufficient information regarding his service stressors. The case will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for the low back condition and remanded the issue of increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, and alcohol dependence in full remission is rated at 50 percent from July 10, 2011 to January 30, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. A 20 percent rating is assigned for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for lower back disorder and depression, but has remanded both issues due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his service connection claim for tinnitus was denied. His claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches is also denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric disabilities and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for deep acne vulgaris with disfigurement was granted. The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, perennial allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's mental health disorders, including PTSD. The examiner must consider whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active service, specifically any MST stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues are related to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is related to his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that the probative evidence of record is at least in equipoise on the factors of service incurrence and nexus, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder were denied. The rating for major depressive disorder prior to March 3, 2009, was also denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder after March 3, 2009, is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of updated treatment records. The issues include a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, a higher disability rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Board finds the Veteran’s current heart condition and cervical spine disability issues are inextricably intertwined with his remanded claim for increased ratings.

The Veteran's neuroma, left foot, was granted service connection. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss appeal was dismissed. The Veteran's trigger thumb, left hand, right leg fracture, and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and PTSD) claims are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, major depression, dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her in-service stressors.