Depression Board decisions

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and her major depressive disorder is not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scars (bilateral knee) are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, major depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, did not meet the criteria for service connection as it preexisted his entrance into service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes bipolar disorder/depression and PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records that may contain relevant treatment information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiners concluded it is less likely as not that these conditions are related to his experiences during military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 14, 2012. Prior to that date, he was granted a TDIU effective March 1, 2014.,PTSD symptoms include depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, anger, intrusive memories, isolation, avoidance, flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, concentration problems, mild memory loss, passive suicidal ideation, near continuous depression, and impaired impulse control.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and is remanding the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a right ear hearing loss disability aggravated by active service, and his current left ear hearing loss is related to this aggravation. Service connection for depression was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with depression and anger, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depression was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 21, 2015. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as irritability, anger, isolation, difficulty sleeping, and persistent thoughts about in-service events.

The Veteran's service-connected social anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder are currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS is related to his service-connected tuberculosis, and therefore grants service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, has been rated at 50 percent since July 17, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 50 percent rating for this period and grants an initial 50 percent disability rating. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder, depression and schizoaffective disorder, to include PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment since February 1, 2006, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and left hip disability (ankylosis of the right ankle) are found to be related to his service-connected residuals fracture right tibia and fibula. The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for residuals fracture right tibia and fibula, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have its onset during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a Social and Industrial Survey of Z.G. to determine if he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA orthopedic examination and consideration of the TDIU claim.