Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are causally related to his active duty service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, memory loss, and depression have been granted ratings of 70 percent each since the period on appeal. The decision does not address any other conditions or issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence, including VA medical center records and private psychiatric opinions, was submitted since the last final denial in August 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to October 5, 2017, and the Board finds that his symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent rating. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depression disorder is etiologically related to his military service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's mental health disorder claim has been granted, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as they are related to service-connected conditions.,Advanced dental gingival disease is not a compensable condition eligible for VA compensation.,Service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or nexus.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (other than headaches) is denied as there are no current disabilities other than chronic headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The rating for right trapezius muscle disability remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with alcohol and drug abuse disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for hepatitis B and C is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, and memory loss, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his depressive disorder, left knee, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities is being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and orthostatic hypotension, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's current PTSD with major depressive disorder and secondary alcohol dependence are caused by his in-service motor vehicle accident, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. Additional development is needed, such as obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service or any incident in service, and to address the Veteran's allegations of PTSD stemming from an assault.

The Veteran's bilateral open angle glaucoma is rated at 90 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 16, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and mental illness, and has remanded the issue of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in July 2020, indicating satisfaction with the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected depressive disorder was denied. Prior to July 27, 2018, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating. After that date, he received a 70 percent rating.,The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent prior to December 20, 2019. The evidence shows symptoms causing occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.