Depression decisions — 2016

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a vocational assessment regarding her ability to work due to her service-connected disabilities, as the current evidence is insufficient for a determination on whether she is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and depressive disorder, finding that both conditions are related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was received on September 26, 1980. The effective date of service connection is set at the earliest possible date, which is September 26, 1980.,The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for major depressive disorder prior to July 7, 2011. Therefore, an earlier effective date is denied.,Prior to July 7, 2011, the Veteran was service-connected for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. He did not meet the eligibility criteria for SMC at the housebound rate until he received a 70% rating for major depressive disorder on that same day.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the claim was filed on June 17, 2011. The Veteran's other issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant and his representative have requested to withdraw their appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if in order.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or other psychiatric disorder related to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not linked to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis and neuritis. The denial was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals are based on three different rating decisions. The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing to address his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a breathing disorder, claimed as shortness of breath due to asbestos exposure. The Board dismissed this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not sufficiently severe prior to October 27, 2014, to render him unemployable. The evidence showed he was able to perform sedentary work due to both his service-connected and non-service connected conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service as a member of the Honor Guard, and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, which grants a higher rating than the current evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression, which he attributes to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has ordered a new VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran had a mental health disability at any point during the appeals period that was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service. The acquired psychiatric disorders are also found to be related to his service, with PTSD being diagnosed based on a stressor during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his depressive disorder claim. The right knee and left ankle disabilities will be evaluated again to determine their current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding his claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and a lumbar spine disability. As such, these appeals are denied.