Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chlamydia is denied, and her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and major depressive disorder) is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding a low back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities and physical conditions make her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. However, the claim is remanded as more information is needed regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 9, 2014. The Board also found that the Veteran was entitled to TDIU from July 9, 2014. However, service connection for a heart disability secondary to his right radial ulnar disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from November 12, 2016. The Veteran's depression disability with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2017 and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence and a VA examination. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically whether they are related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's recurrent major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 24, 2014. The VA Board has found that a 50 percent rating is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is granted with a 20 percent rating, and the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus is denied. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 2, 2011 and as 30 percent thereafter. The appeal for a TDIU from July 30, 2017 onwards is remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his depressive disorder and entitlement to a TDIU. However, further development is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion that complies with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service was not considered qualifying for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits due to his discharge from active duty before the required 90 days, and he did not have a service-connected disability at the time of discharge. His claims for other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is now rated at 50% effective May 19, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating was 30%. The decision also grants a 100% evaluation for major depressive disorder as of May 19, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to develop evidence regarding in-service stressors and to obtain an opinion on whether any diagnosed conditions are related to service. The claim for eligibility for treatment purposes remains denied as there was no wartime service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, neck condition, automobile adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, and an earlier effective date for PTSD are remanded. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of February 14, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for skeletal arthritis of the entire body, left foot disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by service. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression due to insufficient medical opinions. The case of service connection for a skin condition (chloracne, rash, allergic/contact dermatitis) is reopened.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and/or panic disorder).

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.