Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was timely filed, and thus the appeal is granted. The RO denied service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, and depression but granted a 10% rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression and PTSD, is not service connected. The right foot disability is also not service connected. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus (DM II) and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for schizophrenia and a TDIU due to procedural flaws in the AOJ's handling of his appeals. The AOJ must first resolve his claim seeking service connection for Major Depressive Disorder before readjudicating his other issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of each acquired psychiatric disorder demonstrated during the appeal period or in proximity to the claim. The Veteran's hepatitis C is denied as it is due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety disorder with depressed mood was dismissed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The VA needs to provide a comprehensive opinion addressing all reported stressors and their relation to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU from July 16, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, finding that further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to procedural errors in previous decisions. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, Hepatitis C, and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is reopened, and his right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his left shoulder disability. The case is remanded due to the need to obtain updated treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) have been granted. The claim for PTSD was denied.

A higher 50 percent rating for tension headaches is granted even prior to January 24, 2019.,The Veteran's Tension Headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with insomnia was granted a rating of 70 percent effective June 6, 2019. Prior to this date, the condition had been rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a psychosis for treatment purposes only, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental health disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and depression, are granted as service connected. Bilateral hearing loss is also granted as aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was withdrawn, and his claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for MDD is granted.,His MDD is currently rated at 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.