Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, need further development due to incomplete medical records and unverified stressors. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gallbladder disease, status post cholecystectomy and depression to allow for further development. The right knee and left knee disability ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on tinnitus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including a major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's death did not result in any additional accrued benefits beyond the $7,954.00 awarded due to his increased disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression with insomnia, and for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran’s OTSRD is not related to his service-connected migraines. The TDIU claim was also denied as there was no evidence showing the Veteran's hearing loss or migraines prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her current level of disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed. The issues of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiomyopathy with acute renal failure are remanded due to unresolved medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection for tinnitus. The issue of reopening his previously denied claim for depression and anxiety not otherwise specified is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is also granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, an initial rating of 70 percent effective September 26, 2013. The increased evaluation of posttraumatic headaches and TDIU were also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric/substance abuse disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and incomplete service records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, chronic fatigue, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a right shoulder disability, and bilateral hip disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will conduct a Gulf War examination to assess whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and sleep condition claims. The service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as it was caused by dishonorable discharge events.

Service connection is granted for a depressive disorder, but service connection is denied for hearing loss, glaucoma, heart disorders (claimed as high cholesterol), hypertension, ulcer disease and acid reflux.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, personality disorder, and insomnia, is related to his active duty service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for left ear hearing loss, entitlement to right ear hearing loss, dizziness (claimed as dizzy spells), weakness, headaches, paresthesias, psychiatric disability, and sleep disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted as service-connected, with the PTSD being related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his Vietnam service. The depression is found to be aggravated by the PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) as the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for any of the claimed conditions and there was no evidence linking them to a period of qualifying military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.