Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disorder is denied.,Service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety has been expanded to include all psychiatric disabilities diagnosed. The claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an examination.,Service connection for right hip DJD, left hip DJD, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle DJD, left ankle DJD, right foot DJD, and left foot DJD is remanded as secondary to a low back disability. Service connection for right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, right hand disability, and left hand disability is also remanded as secondary to a cervical spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinion. Service connection for skin disabilities is remanded due to incomplete records of private treatment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the other claims and must be deferred.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied agent fees for the period of July 2, 2014, through May 26, 2015, based on past-due benefits awarded in a May 2015 rating decision which granted TDIU. The NOD had only been filed with the denial of service connection for PTSD and not with a denial of TDIU.

For the appeal period prior to January 28, 2020, the Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,As of January 28, 2020, the Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his depression. The initial rating for unspecified depression with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is denied, but the Veteran receives a higher rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The claims include psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, stress, and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, PTSD, and depression due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for mood disorder with anxiety and depression, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). This is because VA did not fully comply with its duty to assist the Veteran by scheduling him for a VA examination. The cases are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are reopened, but the Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and provide opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his symptoms.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, but denied entitlement to TDIU prior to December 5, 2018.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, colon resection, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, hernia disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, and sinusitis has been granted. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, claimed as secondary to hypertension, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder and an increased rating for his back disability was granted effective April 1, 2019. However, the Board denied requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder alone does not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 29, 2016 is denied as there was no pending claim for an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia and persistent depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.