Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), high cholesterol, hernia, basal cell cancer, purpura of the distal forearms, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), chest pain, and left ankle disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The AOJ must also verify any in-service stressor related to witnessing a fight that included a stabbing while serving in Bahrain in August 1991, and determine whether the Veteran's current symptoms are due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness due to service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of her psychiatric, back, and hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder with anxious distress, is proximately due to her service-connected back and bilateral leg disabilities. The issues of service connection for neck disorder, headache, increased ratings for back disability, restless leg syndrome, and eczema are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a VHA expert's medical opinion.

The Veteran was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS from April 23, 2013 to December 20, 2017.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with MDD and GAD was granted, effective from April 29, 2005. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred prior to the filing of the claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the discontinuance of the 100 percent evaluation for cerebrovascular accident was proper and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation from February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including manic depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are found to be etiologically related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 8, 2013 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was denied in May 1997 due to lack of current diagnosis and non-compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service. Service connection for depression was denied due to lack of a medical nexus.