Depression Board decisions

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's original claim was denied in 1994, and no additional evidence has been provided within one year of that decision.

The Veteran's lumbar discogenic disease is currently rated at 40 percent effective May 19, 2015.,Headaches are currently rated at 30 percent effective June 8, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not service-connected as it is considered a direct result of his military experiences. The bilateral foot disability was found to be preexisting and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since April 4, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. Additionally, the Veteran withdrew his claim for a compensable rating for cognitive disorder NOS prior to the decision being made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected neck and bilateral upper extremity disabilities. The decision grants this claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for depression and an effective date earlier than April 17, 2013, for the grant of service connection for depression was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for depression, arthritis, and right shoulder pain are dismissed as the Veteran died before a decision could be made on these issues. The appeal for an increased disability rating for hepatitis C is also dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and bilateral eye disabilities. The evidence received since the February 1990 rating decision is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as his employment is full-time and he has maintained it throughout the period on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, were not caused or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against her claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD, but his first three stressors occurred during service. The VA examiner concluded he does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for depression and an acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes depressive disorder NOS).

The Board has ordered the case back to the AOJ for further development and consideration of a secondary service connection theory based on the VA examiner's opinion linking the Veteran's depressive disorder to his service-connected diabetes and other disabilities.

The Veteran's LUE disability, including gout and polyradiculopathy, was not service-connected.,However, the Veteran received separate ratings for his TBI-related headaches (30%), depressive disorder (50%), and tinnitus (10%).

The Board found that the Veteran's depressive disorder is not service-connected and was not caused by his hepatitis C, which he took for another condition. The depression appeared to be related to unemployment and pain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including an examination to determine if his stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee, ankle disabilities, dental trauma to teeth #6, #7, #8, and #9 have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica (RLE) and insomnia disorder with chronic pain.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to her military service, including any in-service sexual assault or harassment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability. The claim will also be considered in light of any new evidence submitted.