Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a disability other than PTSD, leg disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed due to his withdrawal during the December 2019 Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder not otherwise specified. The appeal was remanded for further action on other issues, but these were no longer before the Board due to a grant of service connection for bilateral knee conditions and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 2, 2011 for a disability rating of 100 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia, PTSD, and depression). The issue of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot as the primary basis for the grant of TDIU would be the Veteran's service-connected mental disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of a May 1997 treatment note in the VA examination report. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now pending and requires further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings have been dismissed. The Board found the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD, heart disability, prostate disability, and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability has been withdrawn. The Board granted the TDIU claim, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for hypercholesterolemia, back disability, acquired psychiatric disability, epilepsy, and sleep disorder on substitution basis have all been denied due to lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and service.,For the claim for bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran was granted secondary service connection based on his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder was reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the current diagnoses of asbestos-related pleural disease and anxiety and depression do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for further examination and verification of stressor events. The VA will attempt to verify the claimed stressors related to a military helicopter accident in January 2002, and the Veteran will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's pre-service psychiatric condition and its progression during her ACDUTRA service. The VA will need to obtain additional records and provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically major depression and dysthymic disorder, was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 27, 2019, or in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The Board determined that the symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial 50% evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder with unspecified depressive disorder has been dismissed without prejudice due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder has been rated at the maximum (100%) since August 25, 2010, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD with depression and insomnia) is rated at 30 percent, effective from November 2, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and diabetic retinopathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial disability rating for PTSD prior to March 7, 2017. The claims for service connection of low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, residuals of TBI, and migraine headaches are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence is being remanded for additional medical evaluation due to the lapse in time since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's low back disability remains at a 40% rating due to the current flexion limitation of less than 30 degrees.