Depression Board decisions

The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for hypertensive heart disease with ischemic heart disease.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 10, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for balance impairment and shuffling gait as a residual of Parkinson's disease.,Service connection for dysphagia, as a residual of Parkinson's disease, was granted with an effective date of December 18, 2012.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for service connection for chronic constipation, as a residual of Parkinson's disease.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol dependence. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, GAD, and depressive disorder NOS due to incomplete information regarding his service dates and potential treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a kidney disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, left hip and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity disability (left arm) due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to her military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to military service. For substance abuse, the Board determined it resulted from willful misconduct. For hepatitis C, the Board concluded it was due to intravenous drug use rather than in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective March 28, 2012. However, the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine discectomy intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) from March 28, 2012 through November 31, 2014 is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and PTSD as there was no timely appeal filed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified. The Veteran's diagnoses are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary major depression rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective June 1, 2015. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the original 70% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service. The causal relationship between the current disabilities and in-service stressors is established.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hip misalignment with pain, and application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the need for a new PTSD examination, as well as clarification on service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at a 50% disability rating from November 16, 2007 to December 8, 2016 and then increased to 70% effective December 9, 2016. The case is remanded for further development.