Depression decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee condition was granted, with a new and material evidence basis. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted a 70% disability evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, effective from July 2013. The Veteran is also entitled to attorney fees related to this decision. The claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth was denied as there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service. The TDIU claim has been granted since March 4, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined, meet the criteria for a TDIU effective November 17, 2006.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as a result of an incident during active service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition with symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his period of active service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder is causally related to service, and his current major depressive disorder (MDD) at least as likely as not resulted from his anxiety disorder.

Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy from February 5, 2009 to June 13, 2012 was withdrawn prior to the Board decision. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 100% since October 19, 2012.,Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been rated at 70% from November 6, 2007 to October 19, 2012. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that his anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury residuals, including migraines and major depressive disorder, are rated at the highest possible levels. The initial 70 percent rating for TBI residuals is granted from May 20, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected migraines and right hand disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a 70 percent rating. However, the evidence does not support an award of TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered in connection with the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and bipolar disorder, finding that the May 2000 and December 2006 decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The effective dates for these determinations are considered final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CVA and hypertension, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and the need to obtain relevant treatment records. The claims will be adjudicated again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims regarding various disabilities, including knee issues, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, allergies, back pain, sciatica, and hearing loss. The case is being remanded for a live hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), based on new and material evidence. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The claim for the psychiatric disability was granted as it met the criteria of direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as not related to service.