Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, such as PTSD or MDD, incurred in service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records, need for stressor verification, and need for examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with insomnia is currently rated at 50 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for maxillary/frontal sinusitis, service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic attacks, bipolar disorder and depression), and migraine headaches. The current evaluation of 10 percent is deemed sufficient based on the symptoms reported.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and there is no evidence of such during service. For the acquired psychiatric disability claim, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of active duty service and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current sleep apnea and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the criteria for such disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for clarification and additional medical opinions regarding the occurrence of in-service personal assaults and the relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, is service-connected.,His headaches are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.,His left shoulder condition first manifested during service.,His neck condition likely began in-service due to a motor vehicle accident.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertension.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,Hypertension is also service-connected, linked to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma, and he has been granted a 70 percent rating for his PTSD.,He is also entitled to a TDIU since September 2009.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are found to have onset in service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for IBS, Allergic Rhinosinusitis, Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety Disorder prior to December 9, 2010, and Hypertension have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU. Service connection has not been established for the respiratory condition, right knee disability, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and her major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The TDIU claim was granted effective from May 1, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with alcohol dependence prior to January 16, 2014 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. Since June 26, 2013, his conditions manifested in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, alcoholism, and back disability are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to potential worsening of his service-connected left foot condition and the need to clarify the relationship between his depression and his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder should be diagnosed. The TDIU claim will also be addressed in this process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorder related to service, whether he has GERD that is related to his military service or one of his service-connected disabilities, and whether he currently has pterygium in both eyes. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pterygium will also be remanded.