Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's heart disease with heart attack and anxiety and depressive disorder were denied. The claim for an increased rating for the service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder was granted, but only effective from May 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being required, including obtaining comprehensive medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's right knee laxity and major depressive disorder have been rated based on their current severity, with no changes in ratings.,The Veteran’s left shoulder scar, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and TDIU prior to November 28, 2018 are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The issues include right hip disability, related knee and ankle conditions, depression and anxiety secondary to the hip condition, and IBS secondary to the hip condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his service connection for major depressive disorder and ischemic heart disease, as well as his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, other specified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's diagnoses were not found to be related to his military service.,Increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD with major depression and TDIU due to a lack of development, specifically obtaining SSA records relevant to his disability benefits claim.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 26, 2015. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of August 9, 2011. The claim for right hip disability remains pending and denied.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including herniated disc at C5-6 with neck trauma, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, GERD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, effective from April 2, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, specifically a VA examination for depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA's duty to assist, particularly regarding the PTSD portion of the claim. The Veteran needs to identify specific stressor events and undergo a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person or if he is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain an addendum from a medical examiner to provide specific findings on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required, including obtaining updated VA medical records and requesting Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD, are at least as likely as not related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied because the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected mental disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including determining if an earlier effective date is warranted for the TDIU and evaluating whether a higher rating is appropriate for Major Depressive Disorder prior to December 28, 2015.