Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been attributed to his active duty service and the Board found that the criteria for service connection have been met, granting the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes, and nephrolithiasis. However, these claims were subsequently denied on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be considered under theories of new and material evidence or secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on Housebound criteria, but found that he was entitled to SMC at the housebound rate from February 25, 2004, to March 31, 2004, and March 21, 2007, to April 30, 2007.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with features of PTSD have been granted a disability rating of 50 percent, effective May 18, 2014. His bilateral hearing loss has also been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and major depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood from May 27, 2010 to June 3, 2015. A rating of 70 percent disabling for this period has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of an insect bite to the left groin (claimed as a knot on the leg), and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression and anxiety).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and non-service connected pension for depression has been denied as there is no evidence of a disability resulting from service, and the Veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria for non-service connected pension.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD with associated depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 30 percent for a depressive disorder not otherwise specified with agitation and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or for being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are supported by credible evidence and his current diagnoses align with these stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also raised.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are due to the Veteran's military service. The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as it requires additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran currently meets VA criteria for a diagnosis of Meniere's disease and if so, whether this condition is related to his military service or caused by his newly service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are not service connected as they are related to his alcohol use disorder and dementia. His cardiovascular disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during service or secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no competent and credible evidence to support a link between any of these disabilities and active duty or exposure to toxic substances. The Veteran's Graves' disease and diabetes were found not to have onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, residuals of a gunshot wound of the left buttocks, and surgical scar of the left buttocks were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was not reopened due to lack of material evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability or respiratory disability, and the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between any current psychiatric or respiratory disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has been rated at 70 percent since June 13, 2008. The rating is based on symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.