Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and depression, is granted service connection because it is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his PTSD, depression, and tinnitus and his in-service events. The VA will provide additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to exclude PTSD and to include anxiety disorder and depression disorder. The weight of the evidence shows that this condition was incurred in or caused by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and need for clarification regarding certain issues. The Veteran's back, left arm, and left leg conditions are all being reviewed in relation to his service-connected pericarditis.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to July 31, 2015, and from January 2, 2016, to the present is remanded due to inconsistencies in his educational and occupational history.,The Veteran's appeal seeking an increased initial evaluation for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is also remanded as there are conflicting findings regarding the disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and right total knee replacement, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was reopened, and the issue of chronic pain syndrome was dismissed. The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for SMC prior to December 4, 2014 was denied as his service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in any of his four extremities. The new evidence received since the April 2007 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and major neurocognitive disorder was reopened but denied due to lack of evidence showing a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and a verified in-service stressor. The new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted service connection as at least as likely as not incurred during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for folliculitis barbae and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding medical opinions and additional VA treatment records. The effective date of service connection remains April 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) is dismissed as he has been granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.,SMC benefits are granted, effective August 1, 2012, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder due to depression, finding it is at least as likely as not the condition is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was granted. The effective date is prior to December 30, 2016, and the rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety), left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus have been denied. The Veteran is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of right knee and shoulder disabilities, but has remanded several issues including rating increases and effective dates.