Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder NOS, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, to include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are now before the Board.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for SLE, chronic urticaria, migraine headaches, anemia, depression, ankle disorder, bladder infections, and tunnel vision. The evidence received since the August 2004 denial relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder is service-connected, with the presumption of soundness applying due to pre-existing depression.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and therefore denied his claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board finds that additional development is needed to fully and fairly adjudicate this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his nonservice connected pension issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for assignment of a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and sleep disturbance, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for ADHD and PTSD with depression, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome. The higher initial ratings for PTSD and tinnitus are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and updated medical records. The TDIU claim may be inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety) due to his in-service experiences. The claim for fibromyalgia/joint pain involving the shoulders, knees and hands is considered as part of this grant. The issue regarding non-service connected pension benefits remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability (insomnia and depression), numbness of bilateral upper arms, headaches, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to August 20, 2009 and after October 31, 2009 are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a 100% evaluation. The Board found an increased rating of 50% prior to May 11, 2012, and 70% thereafter.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include panic disorder, manic-depressive disorder, agoraphobia with panic, and anxiety disorder, related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection for a concussion is remanded as additional evidence was submitted after the statement of the case was issued.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address all requested opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating since February 4, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a dorsal spine disability, degenerative lumbar spine disorder, head injury/traumatic brain injury, memory loss, right ear and eye fluttering, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), cervical spine disability, left leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, pulmonary disability to include asbestosis, generalized arthritis, right leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct connection between these conditions and service.