Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition. The COPD claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, while the psychiatric disorder may be related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed disturbances of emotional conduct (manifested by depression and anxiety) is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the spine disability, including left arm, right arm, left hand, right hand, left foot pain, right foot pain, left leg, and right leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 18, 2019. The rating remains at 50 percent prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired eye disorder and other specified depressive disorder due to potential new evidence or worsening symptoms, requiring further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is dismissed. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's TBI secondary to a head injury, as well as for an examination related to his right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder but has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and impotence.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically from March 2019 to present. The Board will then re-evaluate his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 29, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. From April 29, 2015 onwards, his PTSD symptoms did not rise to the level required for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent rating. The VA has ordered further examination and development for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, TDIU claim, and SSA records.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is granted. Service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress secondary to a service-connected tear of the rectus femoris muscle with healed scarring, low back disorder, right knee and hamstring disorder, right hip disorder, and left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's GAD and depressive disorder are granted at a 100% rating since June 29, 2006. The TDIU claim is denied as the Veteran has other service-connected conditions that prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from March 23, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a mental health condition, including depression and anxiety with substance abuse, is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back condition, respiratory conditions (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, migraines, left knee condition, right shoulder bursitis, and memory loss. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to new evidence submitted since August 2016. The claim is now remanded for further development.

An effective date of October 29, 2007 has been granted for the grant of service connection for major depression secondary to a service-connected back disorder. The Veteran is also awarded an initial disability rating of 70 percent for major depression.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military activity while stationed in Southwest Asia from September 1990 to April 1991. The examiner should also assess whether these disorders are caused or worsened by service-connected lumbar spine and/or peripheral neuropathy disabilities.