Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's renal failure is related to his service-connected hypertension, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) has been denied. The Veteran does not have left hand tremors or a current diagnosis of heart disease. His hypertension is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30% prior to September 21, 2014 and 70% thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has granted an increased 100 percent disability rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The decision is based on total occupational and social impairment due to persistent suicidal ideation and multiple suicide attempts.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including lumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee conditions, as well as sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left heel disability and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder due to possible exposure to herbicide defoliants while serving on Guam. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asthma or hypertension in service, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,For her headaches, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if they were incurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have progressively worsened since then.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a head injury (claimed as dizziness and/or vestibular disorder) has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health condition, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and opioid dependency, finding no evidence that these conditions were caused by an in-service event or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to his military service. The other psychiatric conditions were not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has granted DIC for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his depression, which began during service and continued after separation, substantially contributed to his suicide via gunshot wound.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's GAD and depressive disorder, effective September 15, 2014, based on new evidence that demonstrated total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to July 10, 2008 and increased to 50% thereafter. The current appeal seeks a rating of 70% for PTSD effective from July 10, 2008.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms after July 10, 2008 warranted a 70% evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and material evidence received within one year of the February 2015 rating decision, which granted a higher disability rating for MDD. The effective date is set at August 11, 2015.

The claim for a higher initial rating than 70 percent for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder is denied. The claims for service connection for various conditions are also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several disability ratings, effectively dismissing the cases.