Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no in-service incurrence or nexus relating his claimed disability to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, and PTSD with depression and anxiety is being remanded due to new evidence.,Higher disability ratings are not warranted for any of these conditions based on current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, as well as her gastrointestinal disability (IBS). The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anti-social personality disorder with secondary mood disorder, is being reviewed along with other issues related to his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective October 22, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to July 18, 2019 and after that date are both rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient medical opinion in the original decision, and a need for a new one from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and bilateral upper extremities due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on issues related to SMC based on loss of use of the left foot, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, and TDIU prior to January 30, 2018.

The Veteran's agoraphobia with panic disorder, MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder II are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. His alcohol dependence is also found to be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's bipolar I disorder, anxiety disorder with depression, adjustment disorder, and PTSD have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 50 percent is appropriate for the Veteran’s psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining deck logs from his ship and disciplinary records.

The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, muscle pain, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, left eye condition, unspecified depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and tension headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps are denied as the evidence does not show a separate and distinct disability from his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 24, 2012. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depression was denied. The claim for an increased rating of 50 percent or higher for mixed type headache disorder was granted, effective November 1, 2011 to June 19, 2019. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy was denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent or higher were granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy, effective February 23, 2007. A noncompensable rating was granted for erectile dysfunction associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy, effective February 23, 2007. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was granted, effective February 23, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's psychiatric history and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for depressive disorder and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to incomplete information in the most recent VA examination, which did not differentiate between symptoms caused by service-connected depression and non-service-connected mental disabilities. The Veteran is also unable to attend to his daily needs without assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted a 50 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal, with symptoms including panic attacks more than once a week and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder as the evidence does not show a nexus to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from August 4, 2009 forward. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating for the same period.