Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of February 25, 2011. TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed respiratory condition (COPD), psychiatric condition, and heart disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or clear and unmistakable aggravation by service. The COPD is attributed to the Veteran's long history of smoking. The psychiatric and heart conditions are not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MST contributed to his death, granting service connection for the cause of his death. The appeal seeking a survivor's pension was dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The case will be reviewed to determine if a diagnosis of PTSD was made in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, GAD and MDD were restored to a 70% rating effective September 1, 2016.,Service connection for Peyronie’s disease with residual ejaculatory dysfunction was denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

Service connection for major depressive disorder is granted.,Entitlement to a rating of 50 percent for tension headaches on and after November 16, 2015 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a TDIU determination, finding that his hearing loss did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to include anxiety and depression, claimed as a residual of gunshot wound to the left side of the chest. The claim for an initial compensable rating for retained shell fragment, residual of gunshot wound to the left side of the chest is also remanded.

The Veteran's disability rating for major depression was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective July 9, 2009. The reduction is upheld as the evidence showed improvement in his symptoms.

The Veteran's major depression and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 19, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, NOS is rated at 70 percent effective September 27, 2019. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, and for a secondary service connection opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was related to his service, specifically his presumed herbicide exposure and side effects of medications for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the depression is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease with dyspnea, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and residuals of rib fracture.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder are related to active service.,The Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in, and is not otherwise related to, his active service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as it is not caused or aggravated by the service-connected hyperhidrosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and right leg disability (formerly claimed as right knee disability). The appeals are granted.