Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was withdrawn prior to a decision.,His bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent since June 7, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded to under honorable conditions (general), thus removing any bar to VA benefits. The underlying merits of the service connection claims will now be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability evaluation for depression and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

Service connection for headaches has been granted. The Veteran's tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and effective dates earlier than November 8, 2013, for service connection for tinnitus and hiatal hernia have all been denied. The Veteran has also had his claim for a compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia and residual scars remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, acquired psychiatric condition (to include bipolar disorder and depression), sleep apnea, and multiple noncompensable disabilities prior to November 8, 2013 have all been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision is based on medical opinions that link the depression to his shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and tension headaches are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. However, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depressive disorder, and undifferentiated somatoform disorder, is caused by his service-connected mitral valve prolapse. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to schedule a VA examination and obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's depression is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right and left hip trochanteric bursitis, right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left foot calcific enthesopathy of the calcaneal bone, left inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected depression.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol-use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective June 16, 2008. He also receives a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, costochondritis, and major depressive disorder disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is related to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders with alcohol abuse are rated at 50 percent, the minimum for a disability. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for broken right and left feet, as well as a low back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine L5-S1) are denied. The claim for tinea versicolor is reopened but remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) is also pending.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and weakness of upper/lower extremities, due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously characterized as PTSD, has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent only. Service connection for the Veteran's sleep disorder and headache disorder are remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorders was increased to 50 percent, but the claim remains pending as a higher rating is sought. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and a sleep disorder, on a secondary basis. Additionally, the Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, are granted as service connected due to a stressful event during his active duty in Vietnam.