Depression decisions — 2015

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or a service-connected disability, for which service connection has already been established.,Prostate cancer was not incurred in or as a result of service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Glaucoma is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to March 13, 2008. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition and depression with sleeplessness as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The evidence shows that his back condition was aggravated by his knee conditions, while his depression is related to both his knee disabilities and his inability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression disability became factually ascertainable and warranting a 100% rating as of January 5, 2010. The effective date for the assignment of this rating is set at August 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The AOJ should also determine if referral is warranted under 38 C.F.R. § 4.17(b) for consideration of extraschedular ratings.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that is attributable to his military service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations have been granted, with effective dates ranging from April 29, 2008 to May 13, 2009. The specific conditions include a left knee disorder, foot disorders (pes planus and hallux valgus), left eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, ankle tendinosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal with respect to all issues.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, will be reconsidered after the requested development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep disorder. Additionally, the effective date issue related to depressive disorder NOS will be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and denied his claim for service connection for hip complaints/degenerative disc disease of the hips.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to the Veteran's skull fracture and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The rating for the right fourth finger has been restored to 10 percent effective January 1, 2013, and a compensable rating for umbilical hernia has also been granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, attention deficit disorder, social anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The rating will remain unchanged as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. This decision is based on the reopening of a previously denied claim due to new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for neurology problems exclusive of fibromyalgia symptoms, bilateral hearing loss disability, and fibrocystic breast disease prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective March 5, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression and granted it. The Veteran also had her claim for service connection for migraine headaches granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining VA treatment records from August 20, 2009, to the present.