Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased evaluation of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to May 25, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his depressive disorder is denied. The Board also granted the Veteran's TDIU claim, finding that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for depression, bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and hidradenitis suppurativa was granted. The claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new, relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records being added to his case file. The AOJ is required to review these records and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted with consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD) encompasses the symptoms of stress, sleep disturbances, memory loss, fatigue, chest pain and anxiety, and phobias. Service connection for these conditions is denied as they are considered part of MDD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety disorder was found to have resulted in functional impairment which more closely approximates the symptoms associated with a 50 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's assertions suggest these conditions may be related to her active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which may be related to his in-service stressors during his Vietnam service.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins and depressive disorder with anxious distress are rated at the lowest available disability ratings, resulting in a denial of his claims for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and unclear opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, however diagnosed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and asthma. The claim for obesity is denied as it is not a compensable condition.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU, effective April 18, 2016. The decision is based on the service-connected nature of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Coleman Kaserne in Germany related to the Veteran's service. The issues of service connection for a left ankle disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and/or major depressive disorder), and TDIU are all being remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is granted service connection.,Service connection for PTSD and MDD is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran’s knee, ankle, foot, and kidney conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and 2) Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety). The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder is remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2016 VA examination. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his condition and its impact on his occupational functioning.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% rating from August 24, 2011. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral knee disorders due to potential new evidence received since the last final decision.