Depression decisions — 2018

The Board denied restoration of the 100% rating for thyroid cancer and denied an initial rating in excess of 30% for depressive disorder with anxiety since August 1, 2007. The Veteran's thyroid cancer residuals are currently rated as 10%. The depression is currently rated as 30%. Further evaluation and evidence collection are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder does not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, hypertension, GERD, depression, and prostate problems. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an increased rating for tension-type headaches, and a TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.,The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated employment and educational records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions on the Veteran's psychiatric condition and outdated DSM criteria. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's terminal hospital reports and missing February 2017 rating action. The appellant’s claims for service connection are also remanded due to an incomplete list of dates the Veteran served on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claims for prostate cancer, kidney disability, and seizure disorder are denied. A 30 percent rating is granted for headaches from March 16, 2009 to April 23, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS has rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating.,Further development is needed for the claims of service connection for exophoria and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric symptoms, including bipolar disorder and depression, are etiologically linked to her active service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, needs to be evaluated under DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and issuance of a SOC regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's cause of death, his psychiatric disability (depression), was caused or aggravated by his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since January 24, 2012. The Board finds that a 70% rating is warranted from this date due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. However, the issues of an initial rating in excess of 70% for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted, but the initial rating assigned is zero percent (non-compensable).

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 20, 2013, for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus are denied. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's left knee strain, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure, and remanded the remaining issues related to heart conditions, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), sleep apnea, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychological disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected depressive disorder prior to February 12, 2014. The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating from that date.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, hypertension, and depression. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of active service.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.