Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral knee disability, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine scoliosis is considered a developmental disease for VA purposes; it manifested in service and is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 2, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors. He is also seeking an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with chronic depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% rating from the date of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, hallux valgus deformity of the left foot, right foot disability, bilateral glaucoma, asthma, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder, was granted. The condition is presumed to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder must be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and is remanding the case for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with his service and whether there were reports of North Koreans shooting near the DMZ during his time stationed there. The VA will also obtain any outstanding records, including recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, is related to his combat service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's depression and alcohol use disorder are found to be caused by his PTSD. His lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's headaches were also not linked to his military service. The examiner noted that the onset of his headache symptoms occurred after a 1992 work injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder, depression, and panic disorder had their onset in service and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized by avoidance, irritability, intermittent suicidal ideation, and some occupational and social impairment, is currently rated at 50 percent under the general rating formula for mental disorders. The right knee disability has been rated based on limitation of motion and semilunar cartilage injury. The pes planus has been rated as 30 percent prior to September 6, 2011, and 50 percent thereafter. GERD is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is granted.