Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records from the VA Choice Program. The Board will seek additional relevant treatment records and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's hand tremors are not related to his military service and were not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities, including depression and migraines with medications.,There is no evidence of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder during the Veteran's military service. The current diagnosis of benign colon polyp was newly acquired after he left service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder associated with bladder cancer is granted a 70 percent rating, effective February 14, 2012.,An earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) have been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding private treatment records and additional information regarding his employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for hypertension, tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for various disabilities have been withdrawn.,Issues related to the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the reopening of these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine and remanded his claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, a left arm disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety and depression).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to his service due to personal assaults during active duty. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to have begun during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to the Veteran's death. The Appellant is seeking to substitute as the claimant in these matters, but the AOJ must first determine if she meets eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbar spine, cervical joint, right index finger, and right little finger disabilities have also been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical records and the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, was granted. However, his specific claims for PTSD and MDD were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The appeal regarding the initial compensable rating prior to April 12, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder prior to July 23, 2019 was granted at 50 percent. The claim for a higher evaluation after that date and TDIU were denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is granted because she served on active duty and was discharged due to drug abuse, which is service-connected as secondary to her PTSD with depressive disorder.