Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and dysthymia, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of rhinitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6522.,The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claim to reopen service connection for a right knee disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, secondary to rhinitis, was granted. The Board found that the evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The claim to reopen service connection for a neck disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his current disabilities, including back disability, bowel obstruction, osteoarticular infection, CKD, depression, bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, and malnutrition, were caused by a perforated bowel resulting from a VA colonoscopy in November 2011.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, due to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Bahrain.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues related to service connection, including insomnia, nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and malignant melanoma have been granted. The claim for a skin disorder other than malignant melanoma to include sarcoma is remanded. The claim for scars on the face, neck, ears, and cheeks is also remanded.,PTSD and persistent depressive disorder are now service-connected. Malignant melanoma remains in dispute due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure or service. A skin disorder other than malignant melanoma (to include sarcoma) and scars on the face, neck, ears, and cheeks also require further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The appeal is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding secondary service connection for right hand disability, hepatitis C, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Bilateral Pes Planus, and Chondrocalcinosis of the Left Knee, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The remanded issues include obtaining updated medical records, including those from 1991, and obtaining a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further development is needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The case of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and/or now service-connected sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for various arthritis disabilities. The Veteran's service records show a diagnosis of anxiety reaction in 1990, but the VA opinion is based on inaccurate facts. Additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, diabetes mellitus type 2, kidney condition, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension have all been denied.,There is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors underlying the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied, but his claim for Depressive Disorder is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spondylosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private treatment records, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his in-service personal assaults. The case will be returned for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for sinusitis was dismissed. Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded.