Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the likely etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The examiner must provide opinions on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not worsened by service. Additionally, the examiner should consider whether it is at least as likely as not that the acquired psychiatric disorder was caused or aggravated by one or more service-connected disabilities, specifically to include the service-connected residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax of the right lung.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim is remanded to assign a rating for the newly service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and depressive disorder as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but her TDIU claim for unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of continuity of symptoms, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his symptoms are considered credible, but further examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorder began in or is otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to her personality disorder, which was noted during service. The right fifth toe disability has been diagnosed but no specific service connection theory applies as the exposure basis is unknown.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder disability was initially rated at 50 percent from March 20, 2015 to April 10, 2017. From April 10, 2017 onwards, the Veteran sought a higher rating but the AOJ remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's depressive disorder prior to February 28, 2002 was granted an initial 50 percent rating.,PTSD from February 28, 2002 onwards was granted a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of proper examination for his service-connected right hip condition, and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea related to depressive disorder, and headaches related to depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent major depression with history of PTSD has rendered him unemployable, as his disability would preclude him from meeting the physical and mental demands necessary for a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has restored service connection for cardiomyopathy with acute renal failure, which was previously severed due to the Veteran's history of substance abuse. The claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of depression or sleep apnea related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 20, 2009 to April 9, 2019. His appeal for TDIU is granted during this period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and recurrent major depression, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was previously rated at 50% prior to December 13, 2018. Effective from that date, the rating has been increased to 70%. The increase is due to more severe symptoms of isolation and inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with depression and sleep condition associated with bladder cancer was rated as 50 percent disabling. The appeal was denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction associated with bladder cancer was not granted a compensable rating. The appeal was denied.,The Veteran's bladder cancer, status post radical cystoprostatectomy from April 1, 2015 to include restoration of a 100 percent disability rating was not granted. The appeal was denied.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with depression and sleep condition associated with bladder cancer was granted prior to September 2, 2014. The effective date was denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with bladder cancer was granted prior to November 21, 2011. The effective date was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Anxiety, and unspecified depressive disorder. The previous opinions were inadequate as they did not consider prior diagnoses or evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

A rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spondylosis is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for prostate cancer is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and LLE and RLE radiculopathy are not granted due to lack of evidence or insufficient evidence.,Entitlement to TDIU is inextricably intertwined with other claims and cannot be decided at this time.