Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from September 1, 2012 to July 1, 2016.,Prior to this period, the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), bilateral flatfoot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating possible in-service exposure. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder was granted with an effective date of October 25, 2011. The decision also noted that the Veteran had previously been denied service connection for major depression with psychotic features in March 2003 and her claim to reinstate benefits related to this condition was received on October 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability and depression has been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if there is new and material evidence, as well as to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature of any pre-existing conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic and depressive disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include right wrist disability, psychiatric disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and loss of use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The kidney condition claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 2010, effective April 2006. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives, including failure to provide proper notice for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressor of being shot at by enemy troops from behind headstones in a nearby cemetery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and right knee arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment with the United States Postal Service was considered to be in a protected environment and he earned more than marginal income.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for MDD was denied, and his service connection claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The low back disorder claim resulted in a grant of a higher rating.,Claims for compensable ratings for scars status post pilonidal cyst removal and scars status post left knee surgery were both denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities. The case must be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorders have resulted in a 70% disability rating since October 12, 2018. The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.