Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The issue of entitlement to individual unemployability is also remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the major depressive disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with sleep impairment (now claimed as depression and previously claimed as PTSD) aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, but both cases are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's GAD with MDD is rated at 50 percent, and her TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left great toe condition and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety and insomnia).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied, with the Board finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 70 percent prior to October 15, 2018. The Veteran's MDD has been rated at 70 percent since then.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depression, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM criteria. The Veteran's post-service treatment records show no current symptoms of depression or PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective January 1, 2020. The initial rating claims for knee and back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Your claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder has been granted and effective July 17, 2018.,Your claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to your service-connected major depressive disorder was denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity prior to the date you filed your claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD. The Board found no credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressor that led to the development of PTSD, and concluded there was no current diagnosis of depression separate from PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected heart disability. The appeal was resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD, warrant a rating of 70 percent throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his lumbosacral spine disability and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his left knee disability, and for an examination to verify in-service stressors and assess any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and granted a TDIU, but the issues of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD from April 14, 2015, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability prior to December 10, 2019, are remanded.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for depression and hypertension resulting from a VA colonoscopy in April 2010, finding that the Veteran's conditions pre-existed the procedure and were not aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.