Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits for his dependent spouse and child was denied as the evidence did not show that he provided proof of dependents within one year of notice of the rating action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is September 17, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for limitation of flexion and abduction of her left hip are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for rhinitis has been denied as there was no prior claim received before February 23, 2012.,The Veteran's initial rating for rhinitis is also denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma, is granted. The claims for right and left knee DJD, bilateral hearing loss, upper back and neck conditions, infertility or miscarriage are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The initial compensable disability rating for residuals of rectal fistula repair is denied, while the noncompensable disability rating for surgical scar, rectal fistula repair remains in effect.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder) have been reopened, and the evidence supports these claims. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of PTSD and depression, which are causally related to his verified in-service stressor.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision affirms that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his military service.

The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of Veteran’s death and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 based on treatment at a VA medical facility, finding that neither condition was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or error in judgment due to treatment provided at a VA medical facility.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension were both remanded, as there is no presumptive basis based on Agent Orange exposure.

A rating of 30 percent, but no more, is granted for a gall bladder condition to include irritable bowel syndrome. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. Entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and major depressive disorder is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for right upper nerve damage as secondary to service-connected cervical condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's eye disorder, sleep apnea, heart disorder, skin disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder are remanded for further development due to possible in-service exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals and radioactive materials at Seneca Army Depot and Fort Gordon.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation from examiners and issues related to effective dates for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA treatment records related to his depression and any other relevant records. He should also provide details about alleged in-service incidents that may have caused his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to COPD. Additional development is needed, such as obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of COPD.

The Veteran's MDD with anxiety disorder was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral wrist condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted. The case is being remanded to gather more information.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 30, 2011 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and bruxism. The decision is based on the Veteran's clinical manifestations of PTSD in August 2010 and his timely claim received by VA on September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from October 20, 2015 to November 8, 2018. From November 8, 2018, the disability manifested as more severe impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is granted.,Service connection for residuals of a pelvic infection and major depressive disorder (MDD) are both granted.,A VA opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities and his service. The case will be returned for further examination and a new opinion.