Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran's TDIU is denied as the earliest effective date that meets the criteria for a TDIU was November 16, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are rated at the highest possible level (100%) since April 14, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder with history of substance abuse is service-connected, while PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and dysthymia, is etiologically related to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and an addendum opinion from the VA otolaryngologist and audiologist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and chronic depression, is related to his service in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, but finds that his depressive disorder, NOS is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, bilateral pes planus, and bronchial asthma will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening any of the Veteran's service connection claims, as it is either cumulative or redundant and does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder. The other issues were either denied or not addressed in detail.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and whether he has a psychiatric disability that was aggravated by any service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will also be scheduled for an examination to assess the severity of his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain his complete service personnel records and in-service mental health treatment records, as well as confirm the reported stressors. A VA examination is also needed to determine whether an acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service and if a neck disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of her service-connected psychological disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 22, 2002, for the grant of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's initial claim was denied in 1997 and he did not file a new claim until 2002.