Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone level, a neurological disability, or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions of tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone level, a neurological disability, and/or an acquired psychiatric disorder to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, depression and short term memory loss (a medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness) are granted. The right knee disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within the applicable presumptive period. The left knee disorder secondary to the right knee disorder claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for gastritis is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted, while his claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic tonsillitis, bladder dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and erectile dysfunction are denied.,Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from June 18, 2014 to January 26, 2016 and the appeal for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 2, 2011, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and establishment of basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining information about the Veteran's employment prior to May 2, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not providing a proper statement of reasons or bases for denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran's VA treatment records show he was diagnosed with various psychiatric conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received and the claim seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened.

The Veteran's prostatitis was rated at 40 percent prior to January 30, 2015 and remains at 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI, headaches, and depressive disorder are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Effective dates prior to December 12, 2017 are not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 1, 2010 to present.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar spine DDD and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed as the AOJ granted service connection for the psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70% disability rating for major depressive disorder and mood disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder and mood disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a neurological disorder (including Bell's palsy).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and because there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including depression, began during service.