Depression Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left elbow disability is dismissed.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain is granted, effective July 11, 2014.,Effective July 11, 2014, but no earlier, a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for unspecified depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to depression that began during service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, for accrued benefit and substitution purposes, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition, but remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no credible and verifiable in-service stressor.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.,For the left knee injury prior to November 25, 2014, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating based on painful motion. After this date, he was granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension and a 20 percent rating for meniscal tear.,Major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 9434.,Degenerative disc disease (low back disability) was rated at 40 percent, but not higher due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.,Erectile dysfunction received a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for anxiety disorder (claimed as nervous condition) has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a stressor and incomplete service records. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for possible connection to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The case is remanded to obtain an updated VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's depression disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating (70% or 100%) under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating of depressive disorder and TDIU prior to July 5, 2016 are being remanded due to incomplete development. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of hypertension, sleep apnea, and right ankle condition due to need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other specified trauma and other stressor related disorder. Service connection is also remanded for major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), but denied for left knee, low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for various conditions, including uterine fibroid, ovarian cysts, onychomycosis (infected toe nails), actinic keratosis of the left wrist and nose, peripheral vestibular disorder, and PTSD. The claims are remanded for additional development.