Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with PDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from March 6, 2012 through June 11, 2019. The TDIU issue prior to June 12, 2019 was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case is now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), GERD, tinnitus, bilateral shoulder pain, low back pain, left knee pain, a right knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the disorders and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety (acquired psychiatric disorder) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, finding that his pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service and that there was clear and unmistakable evidence that he had a preexisting psychiatric condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability. The Board also found that the evidence did not support a secondary service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability may be related to his in-service motorcycle accident, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of alcoholism was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30% for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder unspecified was granted with a 70% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and drug addiction, finding no evidence of a current condition related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as a nervous condition, depression, and anxiety is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a disability claimed as sleep and dream disturbance is reopened. The issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, right ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 are remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for GAD and persistent depressive disorder due to conflicting medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are currently diagnosed, but the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities needs further clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and peripheral neuropathy in both legs.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected conditions was denied. The initial rating for residuals of NHL to include joint pain, headaches, and fatigue remains at 40 percent. A higher rating for MDD associated with residuals of NHL is granted but not in excess of 70 percent. GERD with swallowing difficulty continues to be rated at 10 percent. Urticaria remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acne and facial scars. The decision affords the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

A higher initial rating of 50 percent for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted. An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar myositis from July 12, 2012 to May 10, 2016 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depression with PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Additionally, his TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to June 9, 2016 did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. However, from June 9, 2016, a 70 percent evaluation and no more was granted.