Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's death is considered to be due to his service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which the Board finds was a contributory cause of his suicide.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, specifically glaucoma, has been denied as there is no evidence of such condition during service or related to service. The Veteran was found not to have had glaucoma at the time of his separation from service and currently does not have it.,Service connection for depression has also been denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to a lack of current disability diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for major depressive disorder, were granted. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was denied due to lack of current diagnosis. A 10 percent initial rating was granted for hypertension. Major depressive disorder remains at a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 2, 2009 for the Veteran's 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depression. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is aggravated by his service-connected physical disabilities. His OSA is also aggravated by his acquired psychiatric condition. The highest schedular rating of 50% for headaches has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of medical nexus, as the evidence did not show that any current disability was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with other specified depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent effective from April 20, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, is attributable to service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of his respiratory arrest, low stamina, memory loss, depression, shaking of hands, cognitive changes, and verbal conception.

Service connection for hepatitis C is dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for other specified depressive disorder with anxiety is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders to her service and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and MDD with GAD was denied as there is no probative evidence within the relevant temporal period, including one year prior to her June 20, 2014 claim, of an earlier claim or a factually ascertainable increase in severity of her service-connected psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits was denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran had a permanent and total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 20, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and substance abuse that is secondary to his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at 70 percent. The appeal for higher ratings is denied. The appeals for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and he is now entitled to increased ratings for his left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The appeal regarding the low back disorder, left hip condition, right hip condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, impairment of intellectual functioning, acquired psychiatric disorder (including a mood disorder and depression), and individual unemployability has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depressive disorder and an increased rating for hydrophobia, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2013 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as their relationship to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for migraines and depressive disorder with anxiety were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.