Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a statement of the case on the issues of service connection for low back disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a 50% rating effective March 6, 2015. The issue of erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities and/or medications is still pending.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent. The initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for CAD remains denied.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including migraine headaches and personality disorder, are rated at 30 percent since January 24, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for PTSD and a bilateral hip disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records, verifying the Veteran's service dates, and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric or hip disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed urethral stricture and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder, NOS) are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with his service in Vietnam and meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his military service, specifically his time in Iraq where he experienced stressors such as receiving enemy fire and a mortar attack. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, impulse control disorder, and depression) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration records, VA treatment records, and private medical records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for major depression. The Veteran's current TBI residuals were found to be incurred in service, and his current psychiatric disorder is considered to have originated from his military service.

The Board denied all service connection claims, including those for schizophrenia, anxiety and depression, hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a fractured left tibia, back condition, and sciatica of the left lower extremity. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, thinking and mood due to suicidal ideation with a plan; depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; reported neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital on June 17, 2012. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded to determine if the services provided were of such a nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health and whether VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and left hip disorder are inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability, including depression. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, with a rating of 10 percent.,Ratings for right and left knee Osgood-Schlatter disease are denied. The Veteran has mild instability in both knees.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, PTSD, and depression) were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.