Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities. The low back disability and hypertension are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including depression and anxiety, is denied as there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability.

An increased initial 70 percent rating for substance abuse and substance-induced depressive disorder is granted, effective December 9, 2015.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for VA medical treatment and care in 2012, which included left leg below the knee amputation (BKA), right hip replacement, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, erectile dysfunction, and depression, due to lack of evidence showing VA negligence or fault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the claim, which was April 2015.,The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder service connection. VA assigned a September 9, 2014 as the effective date based on the submission through the VONAPP Direct Connect program.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's reported stressors need to be verified, and he should be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders and left ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by liver cirrhosis, which is linked to his service-connected tinnitus and depression. The Board found that the service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and seizure disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The TDIU claim is deferred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss, which is remanded. The remaining conditions are now considered established as service-connected.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The remand is necessary due to the lack of compliance with previous Board instructions.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and efforts to verify in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim is being reconsidered on the merits as new service treatment records have been received.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded, and the TDIU claim will be deferred until the psychiatric issue is resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, depression, or anxiety as these conditions are not shown to have begun during active service and are not related to an in-service injury or disease. The diagnoses provided by VA examiners do not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for an expert opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected rhabdomyolysis or a June 2010 heat injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis are dismissed as the AOJ has not issued a final rating decision regarding these issues.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with MDD was reduced from 70% to 0%, but the reduction was found to be improper due to a failure to follow procedural requirements, and the rating is restored.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and back disorder, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD conditions are now rated at 100 percent effective April 1, 2019.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depressive disorder, a cervical spine disability, residuals of face and eye burns, and chloracne is granted. The claims are remanded for further development.