Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that it was caused by willful misconduct and not related to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and clarification of his employment history.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder, is rated at 50 percent. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including service treatment and psychiatric records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depression, is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and psychiatric conditions (including depression and anxiety disorder), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and vertigo, finding that the conditions existed prior to service but were aggravated by service. The decision is based on credible evidence of in-service head injuries leading to these conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's anxiety with depressive disorder from July 31, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression were granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective October 7, 2013.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 25, 2014.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on her service-connected MDD.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the new evidence submitted since the last denial was cumulative and did not provide a basis to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, residuals of heat stroke, anxiety/depression, and Crohn’s disease due to lack of service treatment records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including hypertension, nasal disability, chronic epididymitis, psychomotor epilepsy, bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction, deviated nasal septum, bilateral hallux rigidus, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, anxiety disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection have also been granted for right ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, arthritis, left ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteochondritis dissecans, and arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 12, 2009 for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder. The appeal is also remanded for a determination on the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, schizophrenia, and depression. The Veteran's hearing was found not to meet the criteria for a VA compensable disability. His psychiatric conditions are considered to be related to his willful misconduct during service.,Service connection for alcohol and/or substance abuse dependence (secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition) is denied as it is considered willful misconduct.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's claimed psychiatric symptoms were not found during the VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for right patellofemoral syndrome and a request for an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board has determined that the issues are remanded.

Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,A rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for service-connected anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder is granted effective December 8, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to care for himself, despite his reported needs. The Board finds that he does not require personal assistance from others.