Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent disabling effective March 22, 2002. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not show a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and social anxiety was rated at 70 percent prior to April 30, 2015.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 15, 2015. The VA determined that the condition caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse prior to May 9, 2013, warrants a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric condition have been denied. The denial of the PTSD claim is due to lack of evidence linking it to his honorable period of active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted service connection, and his claims for increased ratings for left leg and right leg shin splints are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, or a skin disorder related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, a self-inflicted gunshot wound due to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with psychotic features, is found to be proximately due to or the result of a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depression are related to an in-service sexual trauma, which is considered a personal assault. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The evidence does not support the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding any psychiatric complaints or symptoms, and there is no verified stressor related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to chronic lumbar myositis, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA addendum opinion and the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining whether any of the appellant's claimed disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as his 1151 claim. The depression rating was denied prior to May 11, 2012, and after that date it was denied at a higher level. The left knee meniscus tear and arthritis were also denied with the appropriate disability ratings. The right shoulder impingement claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded. The issue of service connection for loss of auricle has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including a right knee strain, meniscal tear, and bone contusion with cyst, is related to her INACDUTRA period of service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating for voiding dysfunction. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities and grants entitlement to TDIU.