Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence does not establish a stressor related to military service, and there is no credible supporting evidence of the alleged non-combat stressor. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and effective dates were all denied. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2009. His Major Depressive Disorder has also been granted a 70 percent rating effective August 12, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it. The other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for the claimed respiratory and psychiatric disabilities, as well as a disability of numbness and paralysis of the left foot. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's attorney submitted a timely substantive appeal on June 4, 2012 for the denial of service connection for schizoaffective disorder. The Board finds that this appeal was valid and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his service in Korea, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted.

The Board denied entitlement to higher disability ratings for right patellofemoral pain syndrome and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's right patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated as noncompensable due to painful motion, but not limited to a compensable degree.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in severe impairment in his ability to obtain and retain employment since April 2006.,Prior to April 2006, the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and a Cognitive Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center Southside were not reimbursable because the services were not authorized in advance by VA and there was no emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as well as attempts to obtain any outstanding medical records. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression were found to have been incurred in service.,There is no evidence of h. pylori infection, but the Veteran has current atopic dermatitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depression, anxiety, dysthymia, and a sleep disorder. The claim is now pending for further adjudication.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left facial spasm, porphyria cutanea tarda with diabetic skin complications of tinea pedis and tinea cruris, PTSD and depression, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating was assigned for the skin conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the issues of secondary service connection and missing private medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, or residuals of a head injury, including TBI, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the date of the Veteran's claimed stressor and a need to verify it. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA mental disorders examination.