Depression Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current mental health disorder was not present in service or until many years thereafter, and no competent credible evidence linked it to service. The claims for nerve damage of the right upper extremity and increased rating for residuals of a wrist injury are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding his psychiatric disabilities and right ear drum perforation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulosis, hypertension, a psychiatric disorder, GERD, and H. Pylori as there is no evidence of their onset or continuity in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating higher than the current 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine the relationship between her psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthma was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective August 16, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder remains at a 50 percent rating. No new housing or home adaptation grant is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to have aggravated his depression, warranting secondary service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim to reopen a right knee disorder was also denied. The decision did not address the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but will be rated at 50 percent effective October 19, 2015. The TBI has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of depression, seizure disorder, and TBI have been granted. The Veteran is now service-connected for these conditions.,An extraschedular rating has been assigned for the Veteran's tension headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA and private medical records, as well as psychological evaluations, it was concluded that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric condition related to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further examination. The tinnitus reopening issue is also remanded as a new SOC must be issued.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, NOS, with features of PTSD, was incurred during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for head trauma, chronic headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD), and a back disorder. The Veteran submitted new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent effective November 15, 2007. His coronary artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm were both rated at 100 percent effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess his current level of impairment from the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing on his claims.

The Board has reopened the claim regarding the character of the Veteran's discharge and granted service connection for PTSD with depression. The decision also addressed the severance of right ear hearing loss and termination of nonservice-connected pension, finding it improper.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 18, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment in occupational and social functioning.