Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 24, 1991. The Board found that the Veteran's original claim was received within one year following his separation from service and thus the proper effective date is the day following separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include arm, hand, wrist, skin, sinus, ear, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected conditions, specifically tinnitus and various musculoskeletal conditions of the wrists and knees.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD includes symptoms that overlap with depression. Therefore, the claim for separate service connection for depression is denied. The mild neurocognitive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD but has distinct symptoms and is therefore granted.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder with depression, is found to be related to her military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from May 1, 2012 to April 8, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic liver disease and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to inadequate VA medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to provide additional records and undergo new addendum VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD is granted, effective from the date of his claim. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and related conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional records and further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have occurred during active duty. The residuals of left perforated eardrum and skin graft secondary to this condition were denied due to lack of current disability, while the depression claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its decision, specifically regarding the impacts of the Veteran's reported auditory and visual hallucinations and suicidal ideation on her functioning over the claim period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board will now proceed with a full review of his claim.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including as secondary to service-connected left hip trochanteric bursitis, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for dysthymia due to erectile dysfunction disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety has been granted a 70 percent disability evaluation effective April 28, 2008. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability remain on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for service-connected depression, a temporary total evaluation based on in-patient hospitalization, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence. A new examination is needed, as well as obtaining additional medical records.