Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for PTSD and depression. A VA examination is needed to assess all current psychiatric diagnoses and their relation to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in August 1998, but reopened and granted effective September 10, 2014. The Board found no earlier petition to reopen the claim prior to September 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including his current depressive disorder, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. Additional opinions are needed on both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and remanded the issues of bilateral knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but granted service connection for a left collar bone disability and left shoulder degenerative changes. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, single episode, are denied as there is no evidence of improvement in the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, inguinal hernia, psychiatric disorders, and dyslipidemia. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected and related to in-service noise exposure.,Major depressive disorder with anxious distress features is service-connected and related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back injury, right knee injury, forehead scar, jungle rot, and TBI are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incident that could be linked to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder) is granted. The Board finds the Veteran likely sustained a mild traumatic brain injury during service which contributed to his diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder (later recharacterized as PTSD) is denied because the earliest date of claim was August 22, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a right wrist disorder, gastritis, prostate disorder, and major depressive disorder due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 30 percent rating as of June 25, 2018. The appeal was granted for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, have been denied as they are not shown to be due to exposure to herbicides or any other in-service event.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent disabling from September 16, 2009 to April 6, 2012 and entitlement to Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include neurocognitive and major depressive disorders. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

Service connection for depressive disorder with anxious distress features and migraines has been granted.,Service connection for chronic sleep impairment is denied.

The Veteran's other specified trauma related disorder is granted as service connected. The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are not granted as service connected.