Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge and failed to establish a nexus between his current condition and service. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for additional development, including a new examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disabilities present. The Veteran's lay statements and service medical records are considered in this regard.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis and vision loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and headaches have been granted. The claim for increased rating for right cornea scar has also been granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including consideration of additional VA treatment records submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his period of active service, and the Board finds service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are causally related to his military service in Vietnam. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities was withdrawn. The claim for headaches, to include migraines, is denied as there is no evidence that the current headache disorder began during or is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip disability and an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran does not have a current hip disability or any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and depression medication Zyprexa, contributed to his cause of death due to septic shock and respiratory failure.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder renders her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU. The issue of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is also addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and psychiatric disabilities, including major depression and memory problems, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of his current or previously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, and chronic pain/fatigue. The Veteran's anxiety, depression, and PTSD are related to his service. Service connection is also established for insomnia as it is related to the Veteran's service. However, the claim of reopening the previously denied claim of service connection for depression remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for ear pain is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. The Veteran's complaints of ear pain are associated with upper respiratory disorders and have not been shown to be related to his period of service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective December 29, 1995. The combined disability rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty or in-service. The Veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer but not for the residuals.