Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder (NOS) with features of PTSD and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, was denied in January 2002 and became final. The Veteran reopened his claim on April 15, 2014, after a VA examination diagnosed him with recurrent major depressive disorder. Service connection was granted effective from April 15, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hernia condition, thoracolumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The remand includes obtaining additional VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination for scoliosis, and requesting an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between current psychiatric disorders and military service.

The claim for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, psychiatric disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and hand injuries, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death is ruled an accident, but the Board finds that a medical opinion is necessary to address whether he had an acquired psychiatric disorder during service and if it contributed to his death. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for syphilis, initial rating for paranoid schizophrenia and depressive disorder prior to August 13, 2012, disability rating since August 13, 2012, and effective date for TDIU prior to August 13, 2012 have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions addressing his psychiatric and neurological conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, major depression, and a neurological disorder allegedly related to an in-service chemical exposure.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a claim for an increased rating for bilateral foot metatarsalgia with left fibroma. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish the required link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. The issues of increased evaluations, service connection, and TDIU are all related and require further development.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to pending claims related to other conditions. The appeal will be deferred until all other issues are resolved.

The appeal for service connection for Klippel-Feil syndrome and a hiatal hernia has been dismissed.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety).,Service connection was denied for chronic sleep disorder and chronic memory disorder.,Service connection was denied for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right foot metatarsalgia, right foot hallux valgus, lumbosacral back strain, sesamoid fracture of the right great toe, and TDIU are all denied.

The Board has denied service connection for an arterial disorder in the neck, a left hand disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder). The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right biceps tendon rupture, and hypertension, do not render him unemployable as he has worked part-time for many years.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his PTSD with depression and bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, headaches, depression, and penis disability (ED) due to inadequate examinations that did not consider lay evidence of symptoms from service. The Veteran's service records do not provide a clear picture of his pre-service health or any in-service injuries.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to April 17, 2019 and a separate rating of 20 percent for the tear of the meniscus from that date. The Veteran is also service-connected for major depressive disorder secondary to his right knee disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been remanded as additional development is necessary.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and hypertension have been granted service connection. The hypertension secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.