Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed as part of the merits review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board is expanding the Veteran's claim to include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder NOS. The case is being remanded for additional development of records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining all available VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran prior to certification to the Board. The case will be returned to the RO for consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions and records, as well as to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions are related to service.

The Board denied a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation in the amount of $33,110 due to fault on the part of the Veteran and lack of undue hardship. The decision also noted that the debt was not created by fraud or misrepresentation.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and polysubstance abuse is rated at 100 percent, effective April 24, 2006. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been rendered moot by the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The case is remanded for further development regarding SMC eligibility.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, but the Veteran does not have posttraumatic stress disorder related to an in-service stressor. The claims are denied as a result.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including cholecystectomy residuals, GERD, depression, knee disabilities, respiratory disorder, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, skin disability, traumatic brain injury residuals other than headaches, headaches, right eye trauma residuals, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a mental disorder, including PTSD and depression, cannot be reopened due to insufficient evidence to verify his in-service stressor. The case is being remanded to conduct additional research into his service in Grenada in November 1983.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA/privately obtained treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA mental health treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination to determine if the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as his service did not meet the threshold requirements. The Board also found that he should be afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issues of an increased rating for major depression and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression and adjustment disorder related to eczema. The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected due to lack of evidence. His bilateral foot disability is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence linking it to his active duty. Sleep apnea was also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, fatigue, respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depressive disorder, mood disorder), coronary artery disease, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability have been denied. The decision does not address the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for fatigue.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity have been granted effective from November 24, 2010.,An initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted effective from March 5, 2009.