Depression Board decisions

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder due to a lack of evidence showing that the alcohol use disorder is proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected depression.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 50 percent rating from March 25, 2010 to March 30, 2011. The claim for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and his participation in a downed aircraft recovery mission during service. The Veteran will need further VA examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and for a new VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for clarification on medical issues. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, are being evaluated in relation to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 12, 2019. Prior to that date, the rating was increased from 50 percent.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective from April 8, 2015.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the development sought as part of the February 2019 remand. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to lack of adequate examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right arm disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as there is no evidence to support that these conditions are related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cognitive impairment and toxic encephalopathy is dismissed. Service connection for toxic encephalopathy was denied as the evidence did not show a causal relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected.,Right knee patella chondromalacia and DDD of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 12, 2013, for a grant of service connection for major depression disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for a right foot scar and for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for major depressive disorder are remanded due to lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for throat cancer with loss of salivary glands, psychiatric disability, cognitive disability, autonomic neurological disability, orthostatic hypotension, left eye disability, and residuals of strokes due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran's representative requested an examination to determine if his throat cancer is related to service exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent from April 10, 2015 to March 29, 2017. From March 30, 2017 to October 29, 2019, the rating was increased to 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating beyond 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD with panic attacks, unspecified depressive disorder and TBI has been granted. A 70 percent rating is assigned for the psychiatric/TBI disability prior to August 19, 2014, and from October 1, 2014 to September 11, 2018.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective June 19, 2018. Separate compensable ratings for residuals of TBI are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for a depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence.