Depression Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric condition to service. The claims for heart condition and hepatitis C are also denied as there is insufficient evidence to support their connection to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including mood disorder NOS and other specified depressive disorder with OCD, polysubstance abuse, cannabis use disorder, and stimulant use disorder. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to an in-service personal assault, resolving all doubts in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The other psychiatric disorders, including ADHD and depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was granted, but the initial rating for PTSD prior to May 17, 2010 is in excess of 50 percent and a higher rating since July 1, 2010 is denied. TDIU for the period prior to May 17, 2010 is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The appellant's current low back disorder is also considered related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left inguinal groin neuropathy did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with panic disorder and agoraphobia was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his military service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant was denied as she does not meet the criteria for assistance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's frontal bone fracture with scarring was rated at 30 percent, headaches at 50 percent, and major depressive disorder with memory loss at 70 percent combined to a total of 90 percent. However, the Veteran's symptoms prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, blood in urine/hematuria, and hypogonadism. The Veteran's PTSD and status post laminectomies L4-5 disabilities are currently rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of her delimiting date for receiving Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill is granted, as she was prevented from initiating or completing a chosen program of education due to her diagnosed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation since July 2, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection claims for migraines and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was restored to 70 percent, effective the date of the March 2015 examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active duty service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a diagnosed anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, both of which are less likely as not caused by or related to his conceded stressor of fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.