Depression Board decisions

The Veteran is eligible for a 100% rate of payment under the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression/depressive disorder, NOS) and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with hypercholesterolemia.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, a stroke, PTSD, and depression. The issue of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death remains pending.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability (PTSD) and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's current chronic back disorder is not shown to have been present during his military service or for many years thereafter, nor is it related to the Veteran's military service. The Board finds that service connection for a chronic back disorder is not warranted.

The Board found no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service or any verified stressor. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for Persistent Depressive Disorder based on direct evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran had any past diagnosed psychiatric disorders during the appeal period and whether they are related to service. The case will be remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is not related to his time in service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for PTSD and back disability have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for SMC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to pending service connection claims. The AOJ should adjudicate these claims before final determination can be made.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and neurogenic bladder with megaureter are found to be related to his active military service. The gastrointestinal disorder is not currently shown, but the Veteran maintains a claim for this condition. The psychiatric disorder is linked to his service-connected Hirschsprung's disease post-operative segmental colectomy.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a mood disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a major depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking the current mental disorders to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records and clarifying the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between service and current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for another VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that there is no current psychiatric disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and tremors. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor. Service connection for sleep apnea is moot as it has been granted by a prior rating decision. Service connection for tremors was also denied as there was no direct link between the condition and service.

Prior to June 26, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, despite generally functioning satisfactorily with routine behavior.