Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating to 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating. Service connection for hypertension was not addressed as it is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and the Board expanded his claim to include any acquired psychiatric condition. The case is now remanded for further evidentiary development.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service, caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, has been reopened. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was noted on his entrance examination and pre-existed service. The increase in severity during service has not been shown, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 12, 1995. His depression is not separately service-connected.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected, with the condition having its onset during active duty.,There is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors are not sufficient to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, likely began during or was caused by her military service. However, due to discrepancies in treatment dates and names used, additional records need to be obtained from private providers and VA. A new VA examination is required to determine if the condition existed prior to service and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection. The issues of low back disability, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and migraines are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the current conditions had their onset in service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and right shoulder/arm disorder.

The Veteran's sleep and depression claims have been broadened to include service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus. The issues of increased ratings for left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are still pending.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 23, 2014.,She was granted a higher rating for her cervicogenic migraines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate service-connected conditions for depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, back disorder, neck disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, or headaches. The claims are denied as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder condition did not have onset during active service, was not related to active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current herpes genitalis and acquired psychiatric disorder did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and conducting necessary medical and factual development.