Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient military personnel records for verifying in-service stressor events and a need for a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his in-service military sexual trauma (MST) and physical assault, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a mental health condition and depression is reopened, but the Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, issue a Statement of the Case on his depression claim, and address the TDIU decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary anxiety and depression is granted a rating of 100 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to February 23, 2012, is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain and depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's depressive disorder has been granted an increased rating of 70 percent prior to August 27, 2018, but not for a higher rating from that date onwards. The issues of service connection for ED, hypertension, right shoulder dislocation, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder as there was no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service event or injury, and the appellant's efforts to avoid military service were not considered a valid claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 18, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and residuals of testicular cancer and removal of lymph nodes are granted due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. However, the Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened and granted, with a 50% rating effective as of an earlier date. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC at the housebound rate has been dismissed as the AOJ granted the claim and assigned a full grant of benefits.

The Veteran's breast cancer is rated at 30% and not higher, as the evidence does not show a simple mastectomy or wide local excision with significant alteration of size or form of both breasts.,Her depressive disorder is rated at 50%, which meets the criteria for such rating. However, her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, which was incurred during his military service in Iraq, caused his death by suicide. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a current examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression, including a lack of verification for stressors. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including OCD, anxiety, depression, and anger management disorder, were not shown to have started during her active military service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion from a VA examination conducted in September 2012. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is now pending and requires further development.