Depression Board decisions

The appeal for service connection of hemorrhoids, heart condition, sinusitis, and urethritis is dismissed. The appeals to reopen claims for low back injury, neurological damage due to a back injury, residuals of head injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart palpitation and depression have been remanded. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has also been remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for depression.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for malaria was denied as the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence that it began during or within one year after service and there is no link between current hypertension and service.

The Veteran's facial scars have been rated as noncompensable due to the absence of characteristics of disfigurement or pain. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.,Several service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded, including cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left hip disability, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), GERD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, neurological disabilities of the buttocks and lower extremities, chronic pain, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for depression as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression separate from his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to support these claims. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbar spinal stenosis with radiculopathy due to the August 2014 VA spine surgery, but has remanded cases regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of eye surgery.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent effective May 30, 2004. The Board has remanded the case to consider in-patient mental health treatment records from January to February 2008.,The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective May 30, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is denied as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the right distal interphalangeal joint, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and depression have all been granted. The Board has found that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation regarding his claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. Additionally, he needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected dermatitis/eczema.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for TDIU due to the appellant's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Board finds that an examination is necessary to determine the exact nature and etiology of the appellant’s current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as further development of the claim.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and depression is granted, as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of impaired hearing. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than MDD, claimed as PTSD, was reopened based on new and material evidence showing potential PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder with alcohol use have been rated at a 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, effective prior to August 10, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, finding that the current psychiatric symptomatology is caused by the Veteran's active military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and mid-thoracic degenerative disc disease, residuals of a nose fracture (deviated nasal septum), and depressive disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded to address the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea.