Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were granted a 100% rating prior to January 10, 2014. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as the Veteran now has a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD due to evidence in favor of a nexus between current psychiatric conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal was partially granted, with the claim for service connection for depression withdrawn. The claim for left ankle condition is reopened and remanded due to lack of new and material evidence. The right ankle condition issue remains pending.

The Veteran's mental health condition, specifically other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The severity, frequency, and duration of the symptoms did not more closely approximate deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression disorder and anxiety disorder was granted, along with increased ratings for his foot and knee disabilities. The lumbar spine disability received a 40 percent rating prior to August 20, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions and sleeping difficulties.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The remand also includes an examination of whether there is evidence corroborating the occurrence of a personal assault during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns raised in a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR), including issues related to the appellant's mental health conditions and their impact on his discharge from service.

The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board also remanded the cases for further development regarding left and right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 29, 2011. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and the entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 12, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to April 22, 2017. The Board finds that the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial rating and service connection due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, myocardial bridging, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability were not incurred in service.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions at the time of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability, joint pain in the hands and feet, and depression due to inadequate development of his claims. The RO is instructed to obtain private treatment records from identified providers, VA treatment records, service treatment records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. They are also asked to verify any periods of active duty for training (ACDTURA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a rating of 50% effective August 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 30% rating.,Service connection for major depressive disorder has been established.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and no higher rating can be granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established as there is no evidence of hearing loss in either ear during service or within one year post-service.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred in service. The Veteran's current diagnosis predates his military service by several decades.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity cannot be established as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity also cannot be established due to lack of in-service evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from March 2, 2012. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 1, 2017 has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain. The issues of increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU are remanded.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's mental health conditions.