Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal regarding his major depressive disorder and left foot injuries is being remanded for further review of the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a rating in excess of 20 percent for a residuals of a right shoulder disability. The remaining issues related to secondary service connection have been resolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, sexual abuse of adult, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression. The evaluation of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is also being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable, despite his assertions and reports of employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly concerning his urticaria, PTSD with depression, and left lung disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, finding that it had its onset in active duty service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, was granted a 50% rating effective April 5, 2019. The condition is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, and TDIU have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, his major depressive disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and he has not demonstrated inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his mental health disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions (PTSD and depression) are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease. Bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for clarification of whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 and § 1805 as she does not meet the legal criteria to qualify for benefits due to her father's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran was granted service connection for dizziness as secondary to medication taken for his service-connected degenerative disc disease.,An effective date of August 1, 2013, is assigned for the increased rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, Opioid Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Chronic Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Features of Anxiety and Depression have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorders, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected disuse muscle atrophy of the biceps and triceps with chronic lateral epicondylitis. The cervical spine disability and left elbow disability are also found to be secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 30, 2016 for the award of service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that there was no earlier formal or informal claim received.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service, including any alleged in-service stressor of military sexual trauma.