Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for major depression and bipolar disorder was granted retroactively, with an effective date of March 30, 1989.

The Board denied service connection for major depression and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not reach equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or were related to military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for depressive disorder is denied as he is already receiving the maximum allowable rating.,Effective dates of October 4, 2011, but no earlier, are granted for service connection of cervical spine disability and associated upper extremity radiculopathies. The effective date for basic eligibility to DEA benefits and SMC on account of being housebound (SMC) is also set at this time.,The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine disability prior to December 15, 2011, and right upper extremity radiculopathy as of March 1, 2012, are remanded for further review.,An effective date prior to June 21, 2013, is denied for service connection of depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus (DM2) with intertrigo and hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for a 60 percent or 100 percent rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available prior to January 22, 2019. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating period.,The Veteran's peripheral neuritis of the left upper extremity (LUE) and right upper extremity (RUE) have both been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.,SMC based on need for aid and attendance by another has not been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

An earlier effective date of October 26, 2011 is awarded for a 10 percent disability rating for thyroidectomy scar. Service connection for psychiatric disorder (depression) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, associated with prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy, is granted a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The claims for increased evaluations of his shoulder and ankle disabilities are remanded due to the lack of recent medical examinations. Service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the right ankle, left knee, and lower back is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the current diagnoses and assess the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, particularly regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy and CVA.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, memory problems, mood disorders, psychosis, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline intellectual functioning, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection is not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that any in-service stressor occurred or was related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a personal assault occurred in service and the relationship between the prostate examination in service and current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and clarification of service records. The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent from October 19, 2018. The appeal has been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bi-polar disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, had its onset during service and is related to service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.