Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depression with generalized anxiety disorder prior to December 20, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found the disability picture more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to potential pre-existing conditions and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right cervicothoracic pain and tinnitus as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to new evidence being added to the record.

Your initial evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been fully granted and is now at the maximum level of disability (100%). The appeal is dismissed as your claim is no longer valid.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was a persistent danger of hurting himself or others during the initial rating period on appeal. The AOJ is instructed to request any police reports and other related documentation concerning alleged violent eruptions with neighbors that resulted in calls to the police, as well as private treatment records for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with depressive disorder NOS and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to work.

The Board has found that the remand orders were not substantially complied with and thus requires another remand for a VA contract examiner to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his reported in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to the need to verify a reported stressor and determine its etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected, while his acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depressive disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service connected due to the disability being aggravated beyond its natural course during active duty.

The claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the Veteran not timely initiating an appeal with respect to the June 2014 denial of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and mood disorder NOS. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from February 21, 2017 due to insufficient discussion of relevant evidence and failure to consider initial effective dates. The case is returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is still necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and other conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service exposures.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The cervical spine disability claim is being reviewed again for service connection as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, while the major depression claim remains pending.

Service connection granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, depressive disorder and PTSD. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip disability. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for left and right knee conditions.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 28, 2003. The TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from that date.