Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU and DEA benefits was denied as there were no prior claims or inferred claims of entitlement to these benefits prior to March 1, 2017. The effective dates for the grants are set at March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease, rendered him unemployable as of December 15, 2010. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU prior to December 5, 2017 are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding research of the Veteran's in-service stressor. The Veteran is seeking service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, which are currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbance are granted with a 50% rating. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with shin splints is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's BPH is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's left shin splint is denied as not warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for subjective paresthesias has been reopened, and he is entitled to a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder remains remanded as there are insufficient findings from his previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder from November 5, 2012 to March 13, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, mood disorder, and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression due to a mass shooting incident during liberty in San Diego, California.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate fulfillment of previous remand instructions. The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of frostbite and a psychiatric disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his active service and has been granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending as the in-service stressor must be verified.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that new evidence received after a previous denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected depression and anxiety associated with multiple sclerosis was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 13, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus and left hip residuals, with the Board finding that these conditions aggravate his depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional development and consideration of relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, left knee disorder, and depression. However, a remand is required due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records from the Charleston VA Medical Center dated in the 1970s.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA did not obtain adequate VA medical examinations and opinions regarding the potential nexus between the Veteran’s current mental health conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for the left eyebrow scar was denied, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.