Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not due to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected lymphocytic colitis. His anxiety and depression are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, headaches, and colitis. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a rating of 50 percent effective August 8, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no link between current psychiatric disorder and service. Bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted as it relates to this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was found to be caused by military noise exposure. Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depression.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety, and mild cognitive impairment. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records, and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate those required for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder/dysthymic mood, is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher rating.

Your appeals have been dismissed as you withdrew your claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The VA examinations are inadequate for the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 11, 2011. The Board also granted an effective date of January 11, 2011 for a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was previously denied in November 1992. The Board has now reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, but the issue of whether PTSD is related to service remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Dercum's disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression) due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence. The low back condition claim requires a new VA opinion, while the psychiatric disability claim needs verification of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has found that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypoglycemia, weight loss, diverticulitis, bilateral eye/vision condition (no tears), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to determine if there are any additional medical records or evidence that could support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is about the initial rating for his depressive disorder and whether he qualifies for TDIU. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence being added to the record.