Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim and determined that there is a reasonable possibility that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or link between these conditions and his military service. The case is being remanded again due to incomplete medical records and lack of proper opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective from January 31, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depression, and personality disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination. The examiner did not address the Veteran’s STRs, lay statements, and other evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the claimed suicide event and the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional service personnel records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder are being reviewed based on his reported in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to ensure that VA's duty to assist was satisfied. Specifically, the Veteran’s in-service injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident on August 11, 1990 are at issue and medical evidence of treatment immediately after the accident is relevant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a left foot disability due to incomplete evaluations and the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to July 21, 2019 and denied a higher rating. From July 21, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70%, which is also denied. The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, depression, and an acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by addiction and substance abuse.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus due to potential in-service emotional injury, lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under current criteria. The decision also granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his own willful misconduct (alcohol dependence and depression), but also found that these conditions were incurred during service, thus granting service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his bilateral total hip replacement.