Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain more recent records and provide him with a VA examination to determine the nature of his claimed conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and depression), and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining new medical evidence and a VA examination. The issues include higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for further evidence and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a mental disorder/nervous condition, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no legal basis for awarding such benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, resulting in a 50% disability rating. The Board also found that she is not unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. He is also granted TDIU status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including vertigo and an acquired psychiatric disability. The issues on appeal are whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected ear disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his active service. The Board grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including depression. The service connection claim for depression was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is likely due to his service-connected back condition, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's history of congestive heart failure with left ventricular hypertrophy, trace mitral regurgitation, trace tricuspid regurgitation, and mild dilated left atrium is found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and depressive disorder) is related to military service.

The Veteran's depression is etiologically related to her service-connected right and left occlusive disease with narrowing of the femoral arteries, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite, PTSD, and depression are pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, alcohol abuse, and anxiety. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any found psychiatric diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his hepatitis C, are related to service. The claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression not otherwise specified, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and dysthymic disorder. The claim for hearing loss disability was also denied. The claim for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.