Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer and depressive disorder as secondary to lung cancer. Lung cancer is found to be related to asbestos exposure during service, while the depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of the lung cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cerebral arteriosclerosis.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder (also diagnosed as mood disorder) prior to February 11, 2014, is denied. The Veteran's current rating of 70 percent as of February 11, 2014, for depressive disorder remains unchanged.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), hypertension, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims for migraines are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms are linked to a helicopter crash he experienced during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has found deficiencies in the February 2017 VA examination report and requires a remand to address whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted entrance into active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for depressive disorder and for TDIU due to his service-connected disability. The case requires further examination by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist to clarify the severity of the Veteran’s depressive disorder, its impact on his occupational and social functioning, and to reconcile the conflicting evidence in the record.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with PTSD symptoms are rated at a maximum of 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The Veteran's left ankle collateral ligament sprain with DJD is not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development. The Board found that the earliest date of claim was July 22, 2013, for PTSD with a major depressive disorder, and April 16, 2015, for lost left hip extension and flexion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder, are rated at 100% from September 30, 2010 to July 14, 2012. Effective July 15, 2012, the rating is reduced to 70%. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorders have resulted in total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, anxiety (acquired psychiatric disability), right ear hearing loss, blurred vision, anal condition, and hypertension have been granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The service connection claims are reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period and that any depression is not related to service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder(s). The examiner must determine if any current psychiatric condition, including depression, is related to the Veteran’s in-service stressors.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and substance use disorder, in full sustained remission.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for clarification of diagnostic criteria and further examination regarding PTSD and depression diagnoses.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for an unspecified depressive disorder before December 8, 2016 is granted at a 50 percent level. The appeal regarding the rating after that date is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to missing service treatment records. The VA needs to make additional requests to obtain these records.