Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder, claimed as acquired psychological condition due to military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded because the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and did not address her in-service MST.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 1, 2016 was denied. Since then, a rating in excess of 30 percent has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left testicle condition, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, chest pain, and PTSD. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his reported in-service stressors while serving in Iraq.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current depression is proximately due to her service-connected right knee disability and related eye condition, granting service connection for this acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and GAD. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible in-service stressor of witnessing an aircraft crash.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder. The Veteran was not granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant impairment in most areas of functioning.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is dismissed. His petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted, and the claim is granted. The Veteran’s petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, but has remanded the issue of an initial disability rating for spinal stenosis with L1 compression fracture and low back strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder due to inadequate rationale in the May 2015 VA examination, and a need for new medical records and an updated opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 2, 2008 for the grant of service connection for a hysterectomy was denied. The Board found that the February 2007 rating decision denying service connection for a hysterectomy was final due to lack of timely appeal and no new and material evidence received within one year. The claim for an effective date prior to June 2, 2008 for major depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and the need for additional records and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye blindness and Parkinson's disease, among other conditions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for the remaining listed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining issues.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is not related to his military service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus.