Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition is being reviewed again as there are inconsistencies in the medical records and need for clarification. For his hearing loss claim, a new VA examination is needed to determine if he has a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claims for left knee disability, flat feet, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right hip disability, and history of left ankle fracture are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, a chronic gynecological disorder, and chronic headaches as the evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because there is no current disability meeting VA's threshold for hearing impairment or other claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity as required for a higher rating.

A 70 percent initial disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) from January 19, 2012 is granted.,A 100 percent disability rating for MDD from January 19, 2012 is denied. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from August 4, 2015. The claim for TDIU prior to that date is remanded for referral to the Director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for asbestosis related to pleural disease was denied. A 100% disability rating is granted from September 1, 2016, but the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent rating and resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in judgment, thinking, family relations, work, mood, or school.

The Veteran's abdominal scars are granted as they were incurred during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression, left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic fatigue disorder, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected heart condition, hypertension, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of migraines, depression, left knee disorder, and fibromyalgia. However, the Veteran's claim for right leg and foot radiculopathy is denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since July 22, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran experienced significant impairment in social and occupational functioning due to his PTSD symptoms, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or trauma to support these diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD and Depressive Disorder. The VA provided an inadequate opinion in September 2020, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at a 70 percent since April 3, 2008. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased MDD and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar strain/myositis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a grant of TDIU is warranted.