Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified depressive disorder), including as secondary to the service-connected right leg fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and conducting stressor development. The case will also be reviewed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder due to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to January 20, 2020. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.,Starting from January 20, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder warrants an initial disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are found to be related to his military service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding records not being obtained, and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder, bladder cancer, cardiovascular disorder (mitral valve insufficiency), lung disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as there is no evidence to establish in-service incurrence or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 70 percent for mood disorder, PTSD, with major depression is denied. The claims for service connection for Reiter's Syndrome and TDIU as due to service-connected disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and a need for a VA examination to determine if there is a link between the in-service stressor and current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders of schizophrenia and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his time in active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence of a preexisting condition and concluded that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from September 12, 2008 to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with sleep impairment, and sleep apnea. The claim for hypertension was denied as no additional evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic kidney disease and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential outstanding SSA disability records, as well as their inextricably intertwined nature.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective August 20, 2012. The disability results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was denied. The earlier effective date of the MDD rating based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence on whether his psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and chronic skin condition are related to his military service. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on determining if these conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by it.